The former owner of an 11-foot, 750-pound alligator named Albert has filed a lawsuit against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Anthony Cavallaro, the owner, claims that the denial of his license to keep the alligator at his Hamburg home and the subsequent seizure of Albert were unjustified and not based on factual grounds.
The DEC seized Albert from Cavallaro's home in March citing his lack of a license to legally own the exotic animal. However, Cavallaro argues that he had followed all regulations and had made several attempts to contact the DEC without receiving a response prior to the seizure. He asserts that he had renewed his license on September 18, 2020, and it was scheduled to expire a year later.
Cavallaro further claims that he was in compliance with the DEC's changed regulations in 2020, which aimed to establish additional safeguards. These regulations would have required Cavallaro to take measures such as taping Albert's mouth shut when around humans and adding a fence around the animal's enclosure. He alleges that the DEC did not return his multiple phone calls and emails throughout 2021 and the seizure of Albert occurred while his license application was still pending.
The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court in Erie County on Friday, accuses the DEC of making a false basis for denying Cavallaro's license. Cavallaro asserts that he had constructed a secure facility to prevent public proximity to the alligator, which the DEC was aware of as they had visited the facility and received correspondence and photographs detailing the enclosure's secure nature.
Cavallaro's connection with Albert dates back to 1990 when he first purchased the alligator. He claims to have treated the animal like a child and even made additions to his house including an inground pool to accommodate Albert's needs. Since the seizure, Albert has been relocated to a rehabilitation facility in Texas.
Cavallaro remains determined to have Albert allowed to return home stating that he purchased the alligator with the understanding that he could keep it for the rest of its life by abiding by the existing laws for relicensure. Cavallaro's lawsuit seeks to reverse the DEC's determination and highlights the alleged failure of the DEC to respond to his application for license renewal. He firmly believes that the DEC's decision was unfounded and hopes for a favorable outcome that would allow Albert to be returned to his rightful home.