NY Man Ends Fight to Reclaim His 'Emotional Support Alligator'

Tony Cavallaro gave up his legal battle to get back the 12-foot, 750-pound reptile he kept for over 30 years.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:50pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in soft pools of warm color and light, depicting the blurred outline of a large reptile in an indoor swimming pool, conveying the melancholy and loss felt by the owner after the animal's removal.The emotional bond between a man and his exotic 'support animal' is severed as state regulations force the removal of a beloved, long-time companion.NYC Today

Tony Cavallaro, a 66-year-old man from upstate New York, has given up his legal fight to reclaim his 12-foot, 750-pound alligator named Albert, whom he had kept as an 'emotional support animal' for over 30 years. The alligator was seized by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation in 2024 after Cavallaro's license to keep the dangerous animal expired and he allowed others to interact with it.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the keeping of exotic animals as 'emotional support' pets, even when the owner has a long-standing relationship with the animal. It also raises questions about how states regulate and enforce rules around dangerous wildlife.

The details

In March 2024, officers from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation executed a warrant to seize Cavallaro's alligator, which had been living in an indoor swimming pool at his home. The state said Cavallaro's license had expired in 2021 and that he had violated rules by allowing others to interact with the dangerous animal. After a two-year legal battle, the 66-year-old has now decided to give up the fight, citing the exhausting nature of the process and the state's unwillingness to return the alligator.

  • Cavallaro's license to keep the alligator expired in 2021.
  • The alligator was seized by authorities in March 2024.
  • Cavallaro sued the state over the seizure, but gave up the legal fight in April 2026.

The players

Tony Cavallaro

A 66-year-old man from upstate New York who kept a 12-foot, 750-pound alligator named Albert as an 'emotional support animal' 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 he violated rules around allowing others to interact with the dangerous animal.

Albert

Cavallaro's 12-foot, 750-pound alligator that he had kept as an 'emotional support animal' for over 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“They were never going to give me this alligator back, and it was going to cost me a ton more money. Another year and a half—at least—of stress.”

— Tony Cavallaro

“I'm not at peace. I don't think I ever will be. I'm very angry about the whole thing.”

— Tony Cavallaro

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the keeping of exotic animals as 'emotional support' pets, even when the owner has a long-standing relationship with the animal. It also raises questions about how states regulate and enforce rules around dangerous wildlife, and the emotional toll such disputes can take on pet owners.