Officials recently seized a New York man's 11-foot, 750-pound pet alligator, which he allegedly kept illegally and let people pet in a pool.
It happened last week in the Erie County town of Hamburg.
State Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECO) say they learned the owner of the home, identified as Tony Cavallaro, had built an addition to his house and installed an in-ground swimming pool to keep the roughly 30-year-old alligator named Albert.
They also claim he allowed members of the public to get into the water to pet the alligator.
Authorities say he used to have a license for the alligator, but the license expired in 2021 and was not renewed. Cavallaro, however, says he had renewed his permit for years until rules surrounding it changed two years ago and officials ignored his requests to answer questions about the changes.
"I took care of him better than most people take care of their kids," Cavallaro said, according to an online petition to reunite the pair.
ECOs, Hamburg Police and the Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said they took Albert away from the home "in the interest of public safety and the health, safety, and protection of the alligator."
Albert has numerous health-related issues, including blindness in both eyes and spinal complications, officials said.
Authorities turned Albert over to a licensed caretaker who will house and care for the alligator until he can be properly transported for permanent care.
They are still looking at evidence to decide if Cavallaro should face charges.
In the interim, Cavallaro asked neighbors to support him in court so he could get Albert back.
"I am very upset and angry about this whole incident," he wrote in the petition.
