A man who kept a sick 11-foot, 750-pound alligator in a pool inside his home invited children to swim with the giant.
The 34-year-old reptile was seized on Wednesday from the house in Hamburg, United States, which was equipped with an in-ground swimming pool resembling a pond.
The owner “allegedly allowed members of the public to enter the water to pet the unsecured alligator,” the state Department of Environmental Conservation said.
The massive alligator had numerous health problems, including blindness in both eyes and spinal complications when it was removed from the home, authorities said.
The owner’s alligator permit from the state expired in 2021. The state then determined that the alligator holding area did not meet safety standards. Officers took action this week after learning “the extent to which the owner was seriously endangering the public.”
“To be clear, even if the owner was properly licensed, public contact with the animal is prohibited and constitutes grounds for revocation of the license and removal of the animal,” NYSDEC explained to New York Post
The reptile lover has long been fighting against the seizure of his beloved pet “Albert”, who has been with him for 34 years.
“As everyone has probably heard by now, the DEC and SPCA took Albert away from me saying I was putting people in danger with him. Anyone who has met Albert or knows him knows that this is not true,” wrote Tony Cavallaro, the animal’s owner, in an online petition.
“I took care of him better than most people take care of their children,” he added.
Albert was placed in the care of a licensed caretaker until a place can be found where he can receive permanent care, the DEC said.
