BURAS, La. (WGNO) — Plaquemines Parish deputies were surprised when they arrived at a Dollar General store in Buras, where they found a giant alligator waiting outside the doors.

Deputy Tony Palmisano snapped the photo of the six-foot alligator and the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office posted it to its Facebook page.

The post said, “This little fella was patiently waiting for the Dollar General to open this morning.”