A pet alligator that had lived with its owner for more than 30 years in western New York has been seized by state authorities, sparking an outcry.
In the town of Hamburg, New York, outside Buffalo, many people are supporting Tony Cavallaro, the owner of Albert the Alligator, to return his 11-foot-tall, 750-pound “baby.” An online petition has been launched asking the state to do so.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which removed the alligator, said Cavallaro’s alligator permit expired in 2021 and that the alligator was removed “in the interest of public safety.”
But neighbors and community members have supported Cavallaro, who told local news outlets: “I’m Albert’s father. That’s all that matters.”
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New York state authorities have confiscated a pet alligator named “Albert” from its owner in Hamburg, New York. (New York State Department of Environmental Protection)
The DEC said the alligator was seized last week and Cavallaro allowed the public to enter the water with “Mr. Albert,” who had his own room, pool and waterfall at his Erie County home.
“This alligator has a number of health problems, including blindness in both eyes and spinal complications,” the DEC said in a statement.
But Cavallaro refuted the state’s accusations, saying, “Anyone who has met Albert, anyone who knows Albert, knows this is not true.”
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“I took care of my son more than most people take care of their children,” he said, according to an online petition that had nearly 115,000 signatures as of late Tuesday morning.
The petition includes about a dozen videos from supporters. A person who said he was a personal friend of Cavallaro said the two should reunite because Cavallaro was caring for the alligator.
Another said: “I signed the petition because I have a heart. I want Albert released.”
“Albert the Alligator” was at his home in Erie County, New York, before state authorities seized the alligator. (New York State Department of Environmental Protection)
DEC’s response
At the heart of the “Release Albert” controversy are the expiration of permits and public contact with crocodiles.
“In New York State, possession of animals designated as dangerous animals, including alligators, is prohibited without a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC),” DEC told FOX News Digital in an email.
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“These licenses protect the animals and the public while allowing possession for regulated activities. In this case, the former owner’s crocodile possession license expired in 2021 and was not renewed. ”
“At that time, DEC determined that the owner’s facility did not meet certain conditions to ensure that this dangerous animal did not come into contact with humans and did not pose a threat to humans or animals.”
Authorities have seized Albert the Alligator, but the DEC claims he has health problems. (New York State Department of Environmental Protection)
Those conditions included deficiencies in the alligator holding area, which needed to be corrected before Cavallaro’s license could be renewed.
Still, Albert may still have been removed because Cavallaro allowed members of the public to swim and take photos with the pet.
“To be clear, even if the owner has the appropriate permits, public contact with the animal is prohibited and is grounds for revocation of the permit and relocation of the animal,” the DEC said. Ta.
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Albert the Alligator will be handed over to a licensed zookeeper and kept there until he can be transported for permanent care.
Evidence is still being seized as part of the warrant and ongoing investigation to determine if charges may be filed.
Cavallaro’s story
Cavallaro isn’t going away quietly. he told WKBW.A local ABC affiliate said he tried to renew his permit but could not get an explanation from DEC about the specific changes.
He claims he should be treated as a grandfather because he has owned the crocodile for 34 years.
Cavallaro told 7News that children sometimes took pictures in the pool with Albert in the background, but not often.
This is a sample of the comments on an online petition by a New York man asking to keep an alligator. (change.org)
Neighbor Laura Lautner told local news outlets: “He didn’t seem like he was going to get together or party with the gator. He’s a really nice guy and he loves the gator and treats it well.” Ta.
According to an online petition, Cavallaro said the state and local authorities who detained Albert “treated me like a criminal, with over 20 agents… dressed in full body armor and armed with guns.” He said people flocked to his home.
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“The way they acted, it was as if I were a gun and drug dealing criminal,” he said, according to the petition. “The scene they have created on my street is extremely disturbing and completely wrong. I am extremely upset and angry about this whole incident.”
He said he will post updates on potential court information as it becomes available.
