NEW YORK MAN DROPS COURT FIGHT TO RECLAIM 12-FOOT ALLIGATOR ALBERT AFTER STATE SEIZURE. (PHOTO).

 New York man drops court fight to reclaim 12-foot alligator Albert after state seizure

 An upstate New York man has ended his legal effort to regain custody of an alligator he lived with for more than 30 years after deciding the fight had become too exhausting and costly to continue. The 66-year-old owner, Tony Cavallaro, had been battling state officials over the removal of the 12-foot reptile named Albert, which was taken from his home in the Buffalo suburb of Hamburg in March 2024 after authorities arrived with a warrant.

The alligator, which reportedly weighed around 750 pounds and lived in an indoor swimming pool, was sedated and transported by officials before being relocated to a sanctuary in Texas. Cavallaro challenged the decision after his license to keep the animal was denied, arguing that Albert had lived peacefully with him since he purchased the reptile as a young hatchling more than three decades ago. However, state officials said his permit had expired years earlier and cited safety concerns, including allowing others to interact with the animal in ways that violated regulations for dangerous wildlife.

Cavallaro said the prolonged legal battle took a heavy personal toll and ultimately led him to abandon the case, saying there was no realistic path to getting Albert back. He expressed frustration over the outcome, insisting the animal had never shown aggression and describing it as a companion he viewed as an emotional support animal. Officials, however, noted that the alligator had significant health issues, including blindness and spinal complications, at the time it was removed.

Since the seizure, Cavallaro has not seen Albert in person but has viewed photographs. He said the separation has left him deeply upset, adding that he remains angry over how the situation unfolded and doubts he will ever find peace with the outcome.