Police in Kapuskasing who killed a crocodile this weekend are still trying to sort out how the animal wound up in a vacant lot and became a public safety concern.

When the call came in about a crocodile, OPP Inspector Mike Demeules said the caller was asked to repeat the information. And what the caller repeated was exactly what officers found — an agitated metre-long animal in a lot next to a popular coffee shop.

Kapuskasing police had to kill a metre-long crocodile that was on the loose in the community. This picture was sent to CBC by CBC News Community member and Kapuskasing resident Celine Gerry. (Celine Gerry)

"When they approached the crocodile, there were also members of the public nearby," Demeules said. "And the crocodile did start to hiss towards people."

Demeules said it's unfortunate that the animal had to be killed.

He added it was likely an exotic pet that somehow ended up loose and police now want to speak to the owner.

Criminal charges could be laid

"Obviously people are talking about it," Demeules said.

A crocodile was found in a vacant lot near a coffee shop in Kapuskasing. Police eventually shot the reptile. (Kapuskasing OPP)

"If we can identify the owner and discuss what has happened [we can] try and figure out how this came about. We do not want people to start taking unwanted animals and just letting them roam free."

Demeules said exotic pets — like crocodiles — are legal to own, but owners should call a wildlife refuge centre if they can no longer take care of them.

He said criminal charges could apply, depending on the circumstances, because a crocodile on the loose presents a danger to the public.

"There [are] a wide variety of criminal charges of putting people in danger," Demeules said. "Knowing of releasing an exotic animal, such as a crocodile in a wooded area in a northern Ontario town, is not the best course of action."