Alligator with a knife coming out of his spotted head swimming in a Texas lake

An alligator with a large knife protruding from his head was seen in a Texas lake, angering the locals.

The injured gator was seen two days this week swimming at Pumpkin Lake in Sugar Land, reported NBC affiliate KPRC-TV.

Barry Eversole, of the Fort Bend County Game Warden's Office, said a team had found the alligator in the lake on Friday. The reptile can be removed and taken for observation depending on the severity of its injuries, said Eversole.

Charges could be filed if the authorities are able to find the person responsible, he said.

The photos posted on Facebook by concerned residents showed the knife near the eye of the reptile.

"I can not believe that anyone would be so cruel to do this to one of our alligators in our community," said resident Erin Weaver.

Weaver said that she had seen the animal while she was walking in the lake on Thursday morning. Gators are common in the region, she said.

"He was sitting here and there was actually a knife, it looked like a steak knife coming out of his head," she said.

Jennifer Griffin said the alligators stayed between them and that she was "horrified" that someone stabs him with a knife.

"There is no reason for that," she told KPRC-TV.