OSP seizes alligator from Springfield home; owner had 13-year family pet, only to learn that’s illegal in Oregon

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon State Police recently seized an alligator from a Springfield homeowner who had it as a family pet for about 13 years, only to learn that possession of such an animal is banned in Oregon, in most cases.

Troopers said in a Facebook posting Friday that a crocodilian (alligators are a member of that family) is prohibited from possession in Oregon, except in circumstances such as a wildlife rehabilitation center or educational/research facilities.

An Oregon Department of Agriculture veterinarian transported the seized alligator to a permitted facility, where it will live out its remaining years, troopers said.

This was only the fourth alligator OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers could recall coming across in the past six years.

OSP ended the Facebook post with a jovial “Science tip: You can distinguish an alligator from a crocodile by paying attention to whether the animal sees you later or after a while #dadjokes.”