New York Man Gives Up Fight to Reclaim Seized 12-Foot Alligator

After a two-year legal battle, Tony Cavallaro has decided to end his court fight to get back his pet alligator, Albert.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:26am

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph depicting the blurred, warm-toned shape of a large reptile partially submerged in the water of an indoor swimming pool, conveying a sense of loss and melancholy.The heartbroken owner of a beloved pet alligator surrenders his fight to reclaim the reptile after a lengthy legal battle with state authorities.NYC Today

An upstate New York man named Tony Cavallaro had his 12-foot, 750-pound alligator named Albert seized by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation in 2024 after officers found the reptile living in an indoor swimming pool at Cavallaro's home. Cavallaro sued the state over the seizure, but after two years of exhausting legal action, he has now decided to give up the fight, saying the state was never going to return the alligator to him.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges pet owners can face when keeping exotic animals, even those they've cared for over decades. It also raises questions about animal welfare regulations and the state's authority to seize pets deemed dangerous, even if the owner insists the animal has never shown aggression.

The details

In March 2024, officers from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation executed a warrant to seize Cavallaro's 12-foot, 750-pound alligator named Albert, who had lived with Cavallaro for over 30 years in an indoor swimming pool at his home. The state said Cavallaro's license to keep the alligator had expired in 2021 and that he had allowed others to pet and interact with the dangerous animal, violating regulations. The seized alligator was reported to have health issues including blindness and spinal problems.

  • In March 2024, the alligator was seized from Cavallaro's home.
  • Cavallaro's license to keep the alligator had expired in 2021.

The players

Tony Cavallaro

A 66-year-old upstate New York man who had 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 determining his license had expired and he had violated regulations for keeping dangerous animals.

Albert

Cavallaro's 12-foot, 750-pound alligator that he had kept as a pet for over 30 years, before it was seized by the state in 2024.

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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 exotic pet ownership, as well as the challenges pet owners can face when the state deems their animals a public safety risk, even if the owner insists the animal has never shown aggression.