Here’s a story. This from NY1:

Police investigating a suspicious shoebox behind the Spring Creek
Apartments on Linden Boulevard in Brooklyn were surprised to find a
Caiman inside.

Caimans are part of the Crocodile family. Animal control officials
believe the reptile was illegally obtained through mail order.

“I’m guessing that the owners of this pet realized that they got in
far beyond what they can handle and they did not know how to properly
deal with the situation,” said Ruth Allen of Brooklyn Animal Control.
“So instead of trying to be a responsible pet owner and do the right
thing, they decided to tie the animal’s mouth and dump him in the
garbage.”

Animal control officials say the animal was cold when it was
brought in. They’re keeping it warm under a heating lamp until they can
give it to the proper recovery facility.