This poor alligator with a knife stuck in its head is seen swimming in a Texas lake

Erin Weaver spotted an American alligator swimming in a body of water near her home in Houston, Texas, and realized that the creature was the one in danger.

""I saw him swimming and then I saw him turn, like swimming towards me, and I saw something sticking out of his head," she told CNN affiliate KTRK.

"It looked like a steak knife that was sticking out of his head, I don't know if it was in his eye, but it looked, if it wasn't in his eye it was very close to his eye."

"Almost every morning I see them," said Weaver, who has lived in the area for six years. Wild animals are a normal part of life there.

"Never have I seen them aggressive or even defensive, if you walk by and startle, them they just go under water."

How sad.

From Texas ABC 13 Eyewitness News:

Her photos of the injured gator have made the rounds on neighborhood social media groups, drawing concern for how this happened.

"I feel that somebody did this on purpose," she said. "I can't imagine this animal going after somebody that they would have to defend themselves, because we've never had that happen before."

Weaver and her neighbors are hoping to find aid for the animal soon, saying, "I want to get help for this alligator, I don't want to see an alligator swimming around with a knife in his head and suffering."

ABC13 Eyewitness News reached out to Fort Bend Co. Sheriff's Office. They tell us they can only take a report once a deputy witnesses the hurt animal.

Weaver says Texas Parks and Wildlife was contacted and neighbors are expecting a game warden to check out the gator next Monday.

Alligator spotted with knife stuck in the middle of its head in Fort Bend County [abc13.com]