An alligator attacked a Florida man who had opened his front door late at night after hearing noises coming from the porch, according to the Daytona Police Department.

According to a police press release, the incident occurred on March 4 at around 9:42 p.m. at a residence on Champions Drive in Daytona Beach.

Carrie McCallister, a spokeswoman for the Daytona Beach Police Department, said the victim survived the terrifying attack.

Scott Hollingsworth, 56, the victim, opened the door and received a nasty surprise when the alligator lunged at him, bit into his upper thigh, and began shaking him violently.

In spite of being trapped by the alligator, the resident managed to escape and dial 911 while still inside his house. He was treated for his injuries at a nearby hospital and by first responders.

When the responding officers discovered the alligator still resting at the front door of the house, they contacted Florida Fish and Wildlife officials, who then notified state-licensed trapper Curtis Lucas to trap and capture the creature.

The alligator reportedly moved from the front porch and retreated to a nearby trailer before the state trapper arrived, according to McCallister.

Trapper Lucas said the alligator was about 7 feet, 10 inches long. He killed the reptile, as is the protocol when animals attack people.

The frightful incident took place in a neighborhood next to a golf club with several ponds. Hollingsworth’s family claimed they had seen alligators there before, and authorities believe the ponds may have been the alligator’s home.

Hollingsworth later said that there was fortunately no damage to his knee, which had been his main concern after the incident.

Curtis Lucas warned that alligator mating season was rapidly approaching and that locals should expect to see them out in the open more frequently than usual as they search for mates.