An 11-foot, 750-pound alligator has been seized from a house in New York, where authorities say the animal was suffering from poor health.
A growing movement has emerged, however, in protest of “Albert” the alligator’s removal from his home of more than 30 years, where he had his own indoor swimming pool, Knewz.com has learned.
Wildlife officials took the animal from a residence in Hamburg on Wednesday, March 13, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said in a press release.
“The alligator has numerous health-related issues, including blindness in both eyes and spinal complications,” the press release said.
The owner had reportedly built an addition onto his house in which he installed a swimming pool as an enclosure for the aging gator.
Officials also said the man allowed members of the public to get into the pool “to pet the unsecured alligator” without required permits.
A DEC license the owner had previously obtained in order to legally keep the animal expired in 2021 and was not renewed, according to authorities.
The DEC said it executed the seizure “in the interest of public safety and the health, safety, and protection of the alligator,” with assistance from the Hamburg Police Department and Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
The gator was handed over to a licensed caretaker, who officials said would “house and care for the animal until it can be properly transported for permanent care.”
A Change.org petition, however, has already received nearly 30,000 signatures as support grows over the argument that Albert should remain with his owner to live out the rest of his life.
While the man who kept the gator was not identified by the DEC, the petition webpage includes a statement “directly from [Albert’s] owner,” named as Tony Cavallaro.
“I took care of him better than most people take care of their kids,” the statement read.
Cavallaro wrote that he kept Albert for 34 years and abided by all laws, renewing his permits annually, until a rule change two years ago. He claimed he has been unable to navigate the process since then, despite inquiries he made to authorities through emails and phone calls.
“I will have a court date when they provide it,” he wrote. “I ask it all of my friends and people who love Albert will support me when this date comes available and if you can join me at the Hamburg town court to help me fight them to get him back.”
The owner went on to say he was “very upset and angry” about the situation.
Many commenters expressed support for the owner on a DEC Facebook post detailing the seizure.
“Instead of punishing him and Albert, why not help him do what is necessary to keep the pet he loved so much?” One person said.
“Give Albert back, please. Anyone can see that he is well loved and taken care of,” another echoed.
The DEC said officials would determine whether or not to file any criminal charges against the owner once additional evidence obtained during the warrant was analyzed and a veterinarian was consulted.
The average lifespan of an American alligator is between 30 and 50 years, according to The National Zoo.
The post Giant Pet Alligator in Poor Health Seized by New York Authorities, Spurring Online Petition to Return ‘Albert’ to Owner appeared first on Knewz.
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Author: Marissa Papanek
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