Alligator, Caiman Confiscated From Hudson Valley Home

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY — In June, environmental conservation officers received a call about a couple of crocodiles and about 20 turtles being held at a private home in Wappingers Falls. The Department of Environmental Conservation launched an investigation with two of its officers and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

They wanted to determine whether there was compliance with a permit on file through the DEC's special licenses unit to possess two "American alligators" for exhibition and/or education purposes.

During their initial visit to the home, an environmental officer found that the animals were being kept in unsanitary conditions.

Officers said a litter box was repurposed for a miniature Caiman. A 5-foot American alligator was cramped in an oversize metal dog crate. Both were located in the homeowner's living room.

In addition to the insufficient enclosures, the officers said the permittee had native box turtles and painted turtles without having the required permits.

The officers, along with Missy Runyan and her staff at the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center, removed the native turtles and both crocodilians from the poor conditions and took them to the wildlife center for evaluation and care until permanent placement could be found.

The permittee was issued tickets for unlawful possession of wildlife and for violating conditions of a DEC permit.

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.