<p><strong>FORT MYERS</strong> — What started as a territorial dispute in a retention pond ended with an unlikely friendship. Local resident Dale Whitmore, 41, engaged in a 15-minute battle with a 6-foot alligator using only an inflatable pool noodle and &#8220;pure adrenaline.&#8221;</p> <p>After successfully defending his claimed &#8220;swimming hole,&#8221; Whitmore reportedly felt bad and began leaving Hot Pockets near the water&#8217;s edge. He has since named the alligator &#8220;Sir Chomps-a-Lot&#8221; and is petitioning the county for a special permit.</p> <p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve developed a real bond,&#8221; Whitmore told reporters. &#8220;He recognizes my truck now. I think he prefers the pepperoni flavor, but he&#8217;ll eat the ham and cheese if that&#8217;s all I got.&#8221;</p> <p>Wildlife officials have warned Whitmore that feeding alligators is illegal and dangerous. Whitmore responded by asking if there&#8217;s a &#8220;grandfather clause for emotional support animals.&#8221;</p>