New York Man Drops Lawsuit to Recover Seized 12-Foot Alligator Named Albert

Y. -- Tony Cavallaro, a resident of the suburban Buffalo area in upstate New York, has discontinued his lawsuit against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to recover his alligator, Albert. 6 meters) long and weighing 750 pounds (340 kilograms), was seized by state officers in March 2024.

Officers arrived at Cavallaro's home with a warrant, sedated the animal, and transported it in a van to a sanctuary in Texas. Cavallaro had kept Albert in an indoor swimming pool at his residence for more than 30 years. He purchased the alligator at an Ohio reptile show when it was two months old.

The state department reported that Cavallaro's license to possess the alligator had expired in 2021.

The seizure occurred after the department denied Cavallaro's application to renew his license.

According to the department, even if the license had been renewed, the alligator's removal was justified because Cavallaro had allowed other people to pet the animal and enter the pool with it, violating regulations for dangerous wild animals. The alligator was classified as dangerous under state rules.

State officials noted that Albert had health issues, including blindness in both eyes and spinal complications.

Cavallaro described the alligator as non-aggressive. The litigation, which began after the seizure, lasted nearly two years and involved significant costs with no resolution in sight.

the Lawsuit Cavallaro decided in March 2025 to drop the lawsuit, as stated by his attorney, Peter Kooshoian.

Kooshoian said Cavallaro believed that even if he won, the state would impose strict regulations on the animal's care. >"Tony’s upset. He had the animal for over 30 years — never had a problem until this occurred.

" — Peter Kooshoian, attorney for Tony Cavallaro (Abc News) The case highlights regulations on exotic pets in New York, where owners must obtain permits for dangerous animals. Albert remains at the Texas sanctuary, and no further legal actions are planned by Cavallaro. The department has not commented on the lawsuit's dismissal.