A crocodile sparked panic after it crawled into a family's garage during a rainstorm.

The 7ft-long reptile was flushed out of a nearby pond by flash floods before sneaking into the property in Saraburi, central Thailand on October 20.

Its eyes were reflecting the light while going around the dark garage until a dog spotted it and started barking.

Yutthapong Tanma, 46, was about to sleep after dinner when he heard his dog barking at something outside.

The homeowner checked his pets and saw the reptile intruder while his furious guard dogs bark at it. The reptile, noticing that it has been attracting too much attention, darted to the bush to hide.

He said: "I heard my dogs barking at something while I was going to go to bed, I then went out and found it moved into the bushes. I was afraid it would try to enter the house so I called for help."

Yuttapong called the animal rescuers for help because he was afraid that the crocodile could attack his family.

Six professional reptile handlers arrived at the house and searched for the intruder before throwing a cloth in its eyes to limit its vision.

They then restrained the animal by tying its legs using ropes before taking it to their truck. The rescue operation lasted for only ten minutes.

One of the rescuers said that the crocodile might be looking for food in the canal during the storm.

He said: "It must have followed the drainage and found its way out inside their yard. Good thing it was not too aggressive despite being hungry."

The grateful homeowner thanked the rescuers before they left for the local marine and fishery centre where it will be rehabilitated before release.