Boston: This is what Micheal Ralbovsky, a consultant for the Massachusetts Environmental Police, had to say about the young alligator that was captured by a good samaritan from the Westfield river near West Springfield, Ma - " It’s not wild. It didn’t drive up from Florida. But somebody had it as a pet and dumped it here." (As told to Western Mass news)
The alligator had been spotted by a West Springfield resident who was able to catch it on video that was later sent to 22 News. This video was what inspired the capture.
The alligator was handed over to the Massachusetts Environmental Police on Tuesday and is said to be in good health. This is the FaceBook post from West Springfield Animal Control:
The rescue has been deemed timely as the cold weather in the NorthEast would not have boded well for the alligator. There was a high chance of it suffocating once the surface of the river froze in winter.
Here's why having an alligator as a pet is not a good idea according to the blog kissgator.com
1. You can't domesticate an alligator - you can't expect it to do things other pets, like cats or dogs, can do.
2. It's likely to be illegal in your state as many states have banned the ownership of illegal pets. Only 5 states currently allow you to own an alligator without licenses or permits and they are Alabama, Nevada, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
3. Alligators grow a lot and eat a lot so you have to be prepared both space-wise and food-wise.
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