May the scales of justice be blind.
The heartbroken New York man whose 750-pound pet alligator was seized by government agents who stormed his house is suing to bring his best buddy back home
Tony Cavallaro — who kept “Albert” in a $120,000 pen in his suburban home outside of Buffalo — filed a lawsuit against the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, alleging he applied for a dangerous animals license for four years before the March raid..
“I have had a license in good standing for over 30 years, during which time the license was annually renewed by the DEC without incident,” the lawsuit claims, adding that during that time Cavallaro had always followed all regulations, cared for Albert and never received a single violation or warning.
Then in November 2020, the DEC changed their requirements for a Possession of Dangerous Animals permit, according to the lawsuit, and Cavallaro reapplied for his permit with proof that Albert’s enclosure met the new regulations.
But come January 2021, the agency seemingly ignored his previous message and claimed Albert’s enclosure still needed to be made compliant with the new regulations — then stonewalled him while he tried repeatedly to reach out for the next three years, according to the lawsuit.
“Nobody from the DEC returned any of my phone calls despite the fact that their correspondence advised me to contact them if I had any questions regarding the new requirements,” the lawsuit stated, adding that Cavallaro went so far to involve state Sen.r Sean Ryan in his attempts to reach the DEC, to no avail.
It was only after the DEC raided Cavallaro’s Hamburg home in March — which he previously told The Post was “like DEA drug bust of some kingpin” — and he sent a letter explaining that he’d tried for years to inform them that Albert’s pen was compliant that they finally responded by rejecting his application.
“An outright seizure of the alligator and denial of my license was excessive as a matter of law,” the lawsuit said, and demanded that Albert be returned and Cavallaro’s application be approved.
“I purchased the alligator with the understanding that I would be able to keep it for the rest of its life by abiding by the then and there existing laws for relicensure,” it concluded, saying the seizure “shocks one’s sense of fairness.”
Since Albert was taken he’s been living far away from home at Gator Country Adventure Park in Beaumont, Texas — and Cavallaro’s life has been turned upside down.
“I’m distressed that I don’t have him. It’s ruined my whole life,” he told The Post shortly after filing the lawsuit, adding that its agonizing to see Albert “out of his element.”
“He looks very distressed. He doesn’t look happy. I could tell by his actions,” Cavallaro said of the photos and videos he’s seen of Albert — which have been his only source of information about the reptile’s wellbeing since he was taken.
Cavallaro is still awaiting a court date for his lawsuit, and hopes to take a trip to Texas to visit Albert once a date is finalized.
“At least he’s alive and healthy. That’s all that matters. That’s huge to me,” he said.
The DEC did not respond to request for comment on the lawsuit and its claims.