6-Foot Alligator Turned Over to SPCA

A nearly 6-foot American alligator turned over to the Suffolk County SPCA on Tuesday is headed to Massachusetts.

Andre Ricaud had the proper licenses to possess the animal, but now the founder of Baldwin-based Party Pets of New York, says ”Rocky” had grown too large for him to handle.

“I raised him, but now it is time for him to go,” said Ricaud, a licensed USDA animal exhibitor who was given the animal by the SPCA 17 years ago.

Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross said Ricaud gave the alligator back to the SPCA Tuesday because he knew “it would receive proper care and sanctuary.”

Gross said Rocky was then turned over to Michael Ralbovsky, a licensed herpetologist from Rainforest Reptile Shows in Massachusetts.

In a video posted on YouTube, Ricaud warns others to keep alligators out of their homes.

”American alligators do not make good pets.” he says. “You need to understand that I used this animal for educational purposes to teach children the respect and responsibility of animals and that this animal here with get very large. Think twice about it.”

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