Current:Home > MyBlind 750-pound alligator seized from New York home, setting up showdown as owner vows to "fight them to get him back"-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Blind 750-pound alligator seized from New York home, setting up showdown as owner vows to "fight them to get him back"
View Date:2024-12-23 21:00:42
A 750-pound, 11-foot-long alligator named Albert was seized from a New York home this week, setting the stage for a confrontation between the state's Department of Environmental Conservation and the animal's self-proclaimed owner.
The alligator lived in an in-ground pool in the backyard of owner Tony Cavallaro's Hamburg, New York home, and has multiple health problems, including blindness in both eyes and spinal complications, officials said. Cavallaro allegedly allowed members of the public "to get into the water to pet the unsecured alligator," according to the department.
Albert was seized on Wednesday in "the interest of public safety and the health, safety, and protection of the alligator," the department said. He has been placed with a specialized caretaker who can care for him while the damage was assessed.
Cavallaro refuted claims that he had not properly cared for the animal, writing in an online petition calling for Albert's return that he treated the alligator better "than most people take care of their kids." He also criticized the department for the way the seizure was managed, writing that 20 agents came to his home in full body armor and carrying weapons.
"It was like I was a gun dealing drug dealing criminal the way they acted. The scene that they made on my street is very disturbing and totally wrong," he wrote.
Officials said that Cavallaro had a license to own the alligator that expired in 2021. Cavallaro said that two years ago, the rules around owning an alligator had changed, and he attempted to renew his license in 2021 but was unable to contact the necessary authorities.
"I've had him 34 years and abided by all of them and renewed my permit annually as required," he wrote.
Cavallaro said that he plans to fight to regain custody of Albert.
"I ask it all of my friends and people who love Albert will support me when this date comes available and if you can join me at the Hamburg town court to help me fight them to get him back," he wrote.
A court date has not yet been announced.
- In:
- Alligator
- New York
Cara Tabachnick is a news editor and journalist at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at [email protected]
veryGood! (4)
Related
- John Krasinski named People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2024
- A judge has temporarily halted enforcement of an Ohio law limiting kids’ use of social media
- Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Reveal NSFW Details About Their Sex Life
- Kremlin foe Navalny, smiling and joking, appears in court via video link from an Arctic prison
- New Jersey will issue a drought warning after driest October ever and as wildfires rage
- Walmart experiments with AI to enhance customers' shopping experiences
- Storms hit South with tornadoes, dump heavy snow in Midwest
- A judge has found Ohio’s new election law constitutional, including a strict photo ID requirement
- Nelly will not face charges after St. Louis casino arrest for drug possession
- Ford recalls 130,000 vehicles for increased risk of crash: Here's which models are affected
Ranking
- Oklahoma school district adding anti-harassment policies after nonbinary teen’s death
- Boy George reveals he's on Mounjaro for weight loss in new memoir: 'Isn't everyone?'
- Save 50% on a Year’s Worth of StriVectin Tightening Neck Cream and Say Goodbye to Tech Neck Forever
- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds focuses on education, health care in annual address
- Watch as massive amount of crabs scamper across Australian island: 'It's quite weird'
- Selena Gomez and Timothée Chalamet deny rumors of their Golden Globes feud
- Michigan Wolverines return home to screaming fans after victory over Washington Huskies
- John Mulaney and Olivia Munn Make Their Red Carpet Debut After 3 Years Together
Recommendation
-
Tony Todd, star of 'Candyman,' 'Final Destination,' dies at 69
-
25 years of 'The Sopranos': Here's where to watch every episode in 25 seconds
-
Walmart experiments with AI to enhance customers’ shopping experiences
-
Mexican authorities investigate massacre after alleged attack by cartel drones and gunmen
-
NFL MVP rankings: Does Steelers QB Russell Wilson deserve any consideration?
-
Votes by El Salvador’s diaspora surge, likely boosting President Bukele in elections
-
Former poison control specialist accused of poisoning his wife indicted on murder charges
-
“We are on air!” Masked gunmen storm TV studio in Ecuador as gang attacks in the country escalate