Suffolk County, NY - December 5, 2017 - On Friday, December 1st, 2017, the Suffolk County SPCA was contacted by the Suffolk County Police Department who responded to the Ronkonkoma location on an unrelated matter. They discovered an illegally possessed 4 foot long alligator and called the SPCA.
The Suffolk County SPCA and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Police responded to the home and seized the alligator that was kept on the property. The owner was charged by DEC Officers for illegal possession. The Suffolk County SPCA is continuing its investigation which may lead to additional charges.
Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk SPCA said that the reptile will be transported to a licensed wildlife sanctuary out of state. Gross said "alligators do not make good pets and are illegal to own without a license."
The Suffolk County SPCA, established in 1984, is a private, nonprofit, charitable organization and the voice for animals in Suffolk County. We are not affiliated with, a subdivision of, or funded by any other local, state or national humane organization We do not receive taxpayer or public funding. Please help us to provide a better life for pets and other animals in Suffolk County.