This is the terrifying moment a crocodile was found inside a family's house in a village in India.

The 7ft reptile was discovered by shocked relatives in a home in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, on November 2.

Footage shows forest department officials pulling a rope attached to the predator to secure it in the cargo bed of a lorry.

They later released the crocodile into the Sharda River. No injuries were reported from the encounter.

Villagers expressed relief following its capture. They told local media they had also now asked the village council for more protection from the beasts, fearing that they could be attacked next time.

Crocodiles are large, semiaquatic reptiles that feed on insects, crustaceans, snails, small fish, frogs, and tadpoles. However, they see humans as easy prey, with an estimated 1,000 people falling victim to these animals each year.

India has two main crocodile species - the saltwater crocodile and the mugger crocodile, which inhabits freshwater rivers.