Suffolk County, NY - April 22, 2015 - Another Alligator has been spotted in Suffolk County. This time, the small reptile was seen in the pond near the Central Islip Courthouse.
Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk SPCA said that this alligator was seen by a woman walking her dog and the Alligator entered the pond as she approached to get a closer look. Gross said that the woman reported the incident to Court Officers who contacted the Suffolk County SPCA. Investigators from the Suffolk County SPCA, who are specially trained in handling dangerous reptiles, responded along with officers from the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, and also saw the alligator enter the pond. This was a baby reptile, approximately 1 foot long and it cannot survive the cooler night time temperatures, nor can it survive the water temperature which was 37 degrees. The SPCA investigators, wearing special wet suits, entered the water to try to lure the alligator but were unsuccessful.
The Alligator is facing a death sentence due to the cold water and whoever placed it there could face a penalty of up to 2 years in jail for Animal Cruelty and Abandonment, Gross said. SPCA Investigators are reviewing the Courthouse Security cameras for possible clues of who dumped the baby alligator in the pond. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.