According to state officials, an injured alligator that was being housed illegally in a residence in upstate New York was taken.
The 3.4 metre long, 750-pound alligator was taken from a Hamburg, south of Buffalo, residence on Wednesday by environmental conservation police officials.
According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the owner of the house added a swimming pool and an addition for the 30-year-old alligator. They also permitted people, including small children, to swim with the reptile.
The alligator’s medical conditions include “blindness in both eyes” and spinal problems.
According to an agency press release, the reptile was given to a certified caretaker until a permanent home could be found.
The alligator’s owner’s state permission to keep it expired in 2021.
At that point, the authorities concluded that the holding place for the alligator did not adhere to safety regulations.
Following discovery of the “extent at which the owner was seriously endangering the public,” officers acted this week, the agency said in a statement.
Tony Cavallaro pledged to fight for Albert’s return, telling The Associated Press that the alligator has been with him since the 1990s.
Cavallaro said that he never placed anyone in risk and that he cared for the alligator as though it were his child.
“I’m not a threat. With people, I’m not in danger,” Cavallaro declared.
The decision to file charges has not yet been made by state environmental officials.
