According to state officials, an alligator was confiscated from an upstate New York residence where it was being unlawfully kept in a swimming pool.

Environmental conservation police officers retrieved the 750-pound, 11-foot-long alligator on Wednesday from a home in Hamburg, situated south of Buffalo.

Reports from the state Department of Environmental Conservation reveal that the homeowner, Tony Cavallaro, constructed an addition and installed an inground pool specifically for the 30-year-old alligator. Shockingly, individuals, including children, were permitted to enter the water with the reptile.

The alligator suffers from various health issues, including “blindness in both eyes” and spinal complications. It has been transferred to a licensed caretaker until a permanent care facility can be secured, as per a release from the agency.

The homeowner’s state license to keep the alligator expired in 2021, with the state previously determining that the alligator’s enclosure did not meet safety standards. Following recent discoveries regarding the extent of public endangerment posed by the owner’s actions, officers took decisive action this week, according to a statement from the agency.

Despite this, Cavallaro, aged 64, views Albert in a different light. He asserts that Albert, who was born and raised in captivity, has never displayed aggression towards people or other animals. Cavallaro fondly recalls instances such as finding Albert curled up with his dog on the dog’s bed when the alligator was smaller, suggesting a gentle nature.

In an effort to reclaim Albert, Cavallaro has enlisted the help of a lawyer. His cause has garnered support from both his neighbors and strangers on social media. An online petition advocating for Albert’s return has amassed over 160,000 signatures, and supporters have created “Free Albert” merchandise like T-shirts and buttons.

Having lived with Albert for over half of his life, Cavallaro purchased the alligator at an Ohio reptile show when it was just two months old. He considers Albert an “emotional support animal” and has invested significant resources in accommodating him, including spending $120,000 on a custom addition to his house designed around Albert. This addition features amenities such as heated floors, an indoor pond with a waterfall and spa jet, tropical plants, and even a bar.

Featured Photo Credit: Tony Cavallaro

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