Florida Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) confiscated an illegally kept 11-foot, 340-kg alligator from a residence. According to officials, the homeowner had constructed an expansion to the house and installed an in-ground pool specifically for the approximately 30-year-old alligator. Allegedly, the owner also permitted public individuals to enter the water to interact with the unrestrained alligator, as mentioned in a Facebook announcement by authorities.”
After Wednesday’s seizure, Tony Cavallaro, Albert’s owner, asserted, ‘I’m Albert’s dad, plain and simple. He’s considered family by everyone.'”
Speaking to WKBW, Mr. Cavallaro disclosed that his license to possess Albert had lapsed in 2021, and despite attempts, he was unable to successfully renew it through the Department of Environmental Conservation.”
Authorities emphasized that it is against the law to keep an alligator in a residential setting. The department informed WKBW that even if the owner had the proper licensing, any public interaction with the animal was forbidden. Such actions can lead to the revocation of the license and relocation of the alligator
According to the New York Post, Mr. Cavallaro reportedly invited children from his neighborhood to swim with the alligator. The state Department of Environmental Conservation was quoted as saying that the homeowner “allegedly permitted members of the public to enter the water to interact with the unrestrained alligator.
Authorities reported that the alligator exhibited several health issues, such as blindness in both eyes and spinal complications, upon its removal from the residence. The owner of the alligator is currently contesting to regain custody of his beloved reptile.
In an online petition, he stated, ‘As everyone has likely heard, the DEC and SPCA took Albert away from me, alleging that I endangered people by having him. Anyone who has met Albert or is familiar with him knows that this is not accurate.'”
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The petition further stated, ‘I took care of him better than most people take care of their kids.’ The man has garnered significant support on social media from the community. Many of his friends have attested that Albert was a gentle alligator who posed no threat to the people and children he swam with. Meanwhile, the reptile has been entrusted to a caretaker until a suitable arrangement is made for its placement.”
The owner claimed to have given the reptile better care than most people give their kids.