Keeping an exotic animal as a pet may sound like a fun idea at first. But having a valid license to do it is a crucial part of this endeavor.
Tony Cavallaro of Hamburg, New York, learned the hard way that not having a proper license could rob him off his beloved exotic pet.
The Alligator Is No Danger, Pet Owner Claims
Cavallaro’s pet alligator, Albert, was recently seized by authorities. At the time of his capture, Albert weighed 750 pounds and measured 11 feet long.
Cavallaro said, “He’s just a big baby.” Claiming that Albert had been raised in captivity, Cavallaro reported that the alligator never attacked other animals or humans.
Plenty of Love for Albert Goes Around
In fact, Albert was also getting affection from other humans. Cavallaro’s 84-year-old mother, for example, helped take care of Albert when her son went on vacation.
Cavallaro’s acquaintances, young and old alike, have also been in Albert’s vicinity. They got to pet Albert, pose for pictures, and even get in the pool with him.
Luxurious Home Improvements for Albert
There’s no doubting Cavallaro’s love for Albert — the man modified his house just to accommodate his pet.
Cavallaro customized his house by adding heated floors, an indoor pond with a waterfall and jet spa, and tropical plants for Albert. These additions cost Cavallaro $120,000.
From Reptile City With Love
Losing Albert is a big blow to Cavallaro, who has long been fascinated with reptiles. He previously owned caimans and lizards.
He bought Albert at a reptile show in Ohio, when the alligator was just two months old. Cavallaro, now 64, has spent around 30 years together with his pet before it was taken away.
Beware of the Expired License
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation succinctly explained why the pet was taken away in a Facebook post.
The post stated, “The individual formerly possessed a DEC license for the alligator, but the license expired in 2021 and was not renewed.”
Health and Safety Issues With the Exotic Pet
The DEC also stated that Albert had a number of health issues, “including blindness in both eyes and spinal complications.” On the other hand, Cavallaro denied that Albert was blind (though he did have cataracts), or had a spine problem at the time of his capture by the authorities.
Currently, a licensed caretaker houses and cares for Albert before he can be moved permanently to another location. The DEC also planned to consult with a licensed veterinarian to determine other issues with Albert and make final decisions regarding the alligator.
Dangerous Animal License a Requirement in New York
In the state of New York, ownership of “dangerous animals” is only legal with a Dangerous Animal License from the DEC.
Owners are required to be appropriately trained and experienced, while having facilities with all the necessary safeguards to handle each of the dangerous animals they own.
The Owner Was Unsuccessful in Clarifying Rule Changes
For Albert and Cavallaro, the license became a problem. Cavallaro’s license expired in 2021 and was not renewed.
The rules had also changed at that time. Cavallaro sought clarifications to the changes, but said his phone calls and emails had been unanswered. Therefore, he did not renew the license.
The License Can Still Be Revoked
But the DEC is adamant there’s an additional clause to the rule. Despite owning a proper license, it can be revoked.
“Public contact with the animal is prohibited,” stated the DEC. If a license is revoked, the animal’s relocation will follow.
All the Efforts to Bring Albert Back
Still, Cavallaro plans to fight to get Albert back. He has hired a lawyer as a part of this effort.
Albert and Cavallaro have also garnered support online. There’s a petition with more than 130,000 signatures to return Albert to Cavallaro. Fans have also reportedly made T-shirts and buttons that say “Free Albert.” And there’s even a song written about the Albert debacle on Facebook.
Regulations vs. Compassion: The Albert Story
Many organizations, including Born Free USA, have warned citizens against keeping exotic animals as pets. There are risks to public safety and human health to contend with.
But in the case of Albert, who has been well-kept for more than 30 years, do the same rules apply? For Tony Cavallaro, it seems compassion wins over regulations.
