More than 100,000 people have signed a Change.Org petition to return an 11-foot alligator to a Hamburg man.
According to Erie County officials, the owner was illegally keeping "Albert" the alligator at his home.
He had built an addition to his home and an inground pool for the 34-year-old gator, without a permit. He also allegedly allowed people to get in the water with the unsecured gator.
The owner had a DEC license for the alligator, but it expired in 2021.
Authorities say Albert has several health issues and has been turned over to a licensed caretaker.