Reptile & Amphibian Forums

WHATS UP EVERYONE I HAVE A QUESTION, I LIVE IN A STATE WHERE ALLIGATORS ARE ILLEGAL TO OWN, I CAME ACROSS ONE THAT COULD USE A LITTLE TLC, IT WAS NOT CAUGHT IN THE WILD. IT IS ABOUT THREE AND A HALF FEET. I AM THINKING ABOUT GETTING IT. I LIVE ON SEVEN ACRES AND YES I DO KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT CROCS. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE SIZE ECT. ECT. ECT. I HAVE THE TIME, MONEY AND LAND TO HOUSE SUCH A CREATURE, MY QUESTION IS IF A FEW YEARS DOWN THE ROAD SOMEONE FINDS OUT AND DNR COMES TO MY HOUSE WHAT IS MOST LIKELY TO HAPPEN. THE ANIMAL WOULD BE PUT DOWN, AND DO I GO TO JAIL OR JUST PAY A FINE. LAWS ARE LAWS BUT IN MY STATE I COULD OWN A LION, A COBRA OR A NILE CROC WITHOUT A PERMIT, I COULD DO GREAT JUSTICE FOR THIS ANIMAL WITH MINIMAL CHANCE OF EVER BEING CAUGHT...SHOULD I GO FOR IT? ALL REPLYS ARE APPRECIATED. THANKS

I'd go for it. Anytime you can improve an animals condition it's a good thing.
crocodil

THANKS FOR THE REPLY, DO YOU KEEP ANY CROCS AND IF SO WHAT DO YOU KEEP?

You would be better off finding it a home in a gator friendly state. If you get caught you may face fines, jail time, and the animal will be at risk of being killed.
I understand you wanting to help the animal. I also understand wanting to own the animal. If you realy want to help it, get it to a safe state, and an experianced owner, fast.
Keep in mind. If it not legal to own them there, is is most likly illegal to transport them also.
Personally I would break the law to save an animal. I wouldn't break the law to own one. In some states you can get into more trouble for possesion of illegal animals then you can for illegal drugs.

I don't know what to do,I really appreciate your reply and it deffinetly gave me something to think about. There are so many awful things to do out there and so many crazy animals to own that have no impact on an individual. Drinking and driving, you have to do it at least five times befor you go to jail, one out of five people in my state drive without insurance, drug use, not paying child support ect.ect.ect. If I got punished to the fullest extent of the law for helping an animal and then keeping it(in imaculate condition, with a beautiful enclosure)not guarding my drugs(just a joke) then there has to be something wrong. I have alot to think about, I know what the right thing to do is, problem is my heart doesn't. Thank you

I would seriously get the animal. The only thing you have to remember is to KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT about it! I have 200 acres and have had wild alligators in my back yard for over 17 years.. they were here before I bought the property. The Florida wildlife commision tresspassed on my property and told me that these alligators were going to be killed if I did not get the proper license to keep them! WHAT A JOKE! I never intended on keeping these alligators in the first place. I simply let them live in peace. Now, I am being ostricized for allowing this magnificent creature to live on my property. THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT is a bag of crap. In order to ensure they do not get killed I now have to get a permit to keep them! The only pets I have are a dog and a couple snapping turtles which reside in the pond closest to my house. If I were in your position I would definitely get the gator and keep it to myself!!! Good luck.

THANKS FOR THE REPLY, THAT IS THE ANSWER I WAS LOOKING FOR, ON THE FLIPSIDE THAT I DO GET CAUGHT WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN, DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD ACTUALLY PUT ME IN JAIL OR JUST FINE ME. THANKS AGAIN, JASON

If I were in your shoes,I wouldn't do it.The law is the law.I wish I could go out ,and buy me a male dwarf crocodile for my female,but I can't because I dont have the permits right now.Your are best interest is to obey the law.I have a friend of mine that broke the law with some crocodilians in Tenn,and the authorities took the animal,put my friend in jail for 90 days,and still fined him $2000.00.He also has this on his record.It was considered a class b offense.Just some words of thought.
Mike Talka