Buffalo Man Gives Up Fight to Reclaim 12-Foot Alligator

Albert the alligator was seized by authorities in 2024 after over 30 years living with his owner.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:33pm

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An extremely blurred, dreamlike image of a large reptilian silhouette floating in a hazy, warm-toned pool of water, conveying a sense of melancholy and loss.The legal battle over a beloved but dangerous exotic pet ends with the animal's relocation to a sanctuary, leaving its owner heartbroken.Buffalo Today

Tony Cavallaro, a Buffalo-area resident, has ended his legal battle to reclaim his 12-foot, 750-pound alligator named Albert, whom he had kept as a pet for over 30 years. The alligator was seized by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation in 2024 after Cavallaro's license to keep the animal expired and authorities found issues with how he was caring for it.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complexities around exotic pet ownership, with authorities citing concerns over public safety and animal welfare, while the owner argued Albert was a harmless 'emotional support animal' he had cared for responsibly for decades.

The details

In March 2024, officers executed a warrant and sedated the alligator before removing it from Cavallaro's home, where it had lived in an indoor swimming pool. The state claimed Albert had health issues including blindness and spinal problems, and that Cavallaro had allowed unauthorized people to interact with the dangerous animal. Cavallaro sued to try to get Albert back, but after nearly two years of costly litigation with no resolution in sight, he decided to give up the fight.

  • In 2021, Cavallaro's license to keep Albert expired.
  • In March 2024, authorities seized the alligator from Cavallaro's home.
  • In March 2026, Cavallaro decided to end his legal battle to reclaim Albert.

The players

Tony Cavallaro

A Buffalo-area resident who kept a 12-foot, 750-pound alligator named Albert as a pet for over 30 years.

New York Department of Environmental Conservation

The state agency that seized Cavallaro's alligator in 2024 after his license expired and they found issues with how he was caring for the animal.

Albert

Cavallaro's 12-foot, 750-pound alligator that he had kept as a pet for over 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“'Tony's upset. He had the animal for over 30 years — never had a problem until this occurred. So he doesn't feel he was treated correctly by the government.'”

— Peter Kooshoian, Cavallaro's attorney

“'He bought the alligator at an Ohio reptile show when it was two months old and considered him an 'emotional support animal.''”

— N/A

What’s next

The alligator, Albert, is now living in a sanctuary in Texas after being seized from Cavallaro's home.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges around exotic pet ownership, with authorities focused on public safety and animal welfare concerns, while owners like Cavallaro argue their pets are harmless companions. It raises questions about how governments should balance individual liberties with public protections when it comes to regulating dangerous animals.