Authorities took a 750-pound alligator from a home in upstate New York last week, officials said on Friday.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation wrote in a Facebook post that its officers took a 750-pound alligator from a person’s home in Hamburg, New York on March 13. The department mentioned that the person had a license for the alligator but it had expired in 2021.
The department stated that the person “built an addition to his house and installed an in-ground pool for his about 30-year-old alligator, and allowed people to get into the water to touch the unsecured alligator.” The department added that the alligator has “many health issues,” including blindness in two eyes and spine complications.
“Authorities gave the alligator to a licensed caretaker who will look after the animal until it can be properly transported for permanent care. Analysis of additional evidence seized during the warrant and consultation with a licensed veterinarian will determine any future potential charges,” the department wrote in the post.
CNN affiliate WKBW reported that Tony Cavallaro is the owner of the alligator and that someone has started a petition on behalf of him to get his alligator, named Albert, back. According to the online petition, Cavallaro said that he hopes to regain custody of the alligator and said that the department changed the rules around the permits.
“I’ve had him 34 years and abided by all of them and renewed my permit annually as required. I tried renewing it when they changed their rules and had questions to ask. They ignored my emails and phone calls to make sure I did everything right even though I should be grandfathered in. I will have a court date when they provide it,” he said, according to the petition.
The department also said that it worked with the Town of Hamburg Police Department and The Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to take the gator.
The Hill has reached out to the department and Cavallaro for comment.
