'Cow-eating alligator' which weighed 57 stone shot dead in Florida

A cow-eating alligator which weighed a whopping 57 stone (800lbs) has been shot in Florida.

Hunter Lee Lightsey said he killed the 15ft beast - one of the largest gators he has ever seen - after it feasted on his farm's cattle.

He then had to use a tractor to move the huge reptile as it was so heavy.

"Although this animal was huge, I was not surprised it existed," Mr Lightsey said.

"It seemed to have been feasting on the cattle on my farm because mutilated body parts were found in the water.

"It was a monster which needed to be removed."

Mr Lightsey, who runs a hunting company, says he now plans to get the animal stuffed while the meat will be donated to charity.