UPDATE- Right now, Huber Heights Police, the Greater Dayton Humane Society, and State Wildlife are searching a home where a 7-foot alligator was found over the weekend.
They are looking for other reptiles and maybe even a raccoon.
HUBER HEIGHTS- Authorities say charges may be filed against a man who was keeping a 7-foot alligator in his basement.
The Humane Society of Greater Dayton removed the reptile from the man's Huber Heights home on Sunday after getting a tip about mistreatment.
Animal cruelty charges could be filed against the owner and others who appeared in a Facebook video that showed them taunting the animal by pouring beer on its head, causing him to jerk back violently. The owner's name hasn't been released.
Officials say the alligator was not being kept in proper conditions and was not on a proper diet. Its growth is stunted for its age, and it is showing other signs of deteriorating health.
The alligator will be moved to a refuge in Florida.
EARLIER ---------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBER HEIGHTS -- A massive alligator found in a Huber Heights basement Sunday evening.
The 15-year-old alligator named Right Boot is seven feet long.
Someone concerned about the alligator's condition called authorities to take a look. Veterinarians and representatives with the Humane Society say he was not well taken care of and needs some medical attention.
The owner willingly gave him up.
"His teeth are out sideways, they should be up and down, you can see they're a little loose. His face is sunken in and his growth is stunted," said local veterinarian, Daniel Brauer,
The Humane Society and animal group, Outreach for Animals, rescued the alligator.
"He's not walking on his feet, he's probably too weak. He has something we call metabolic bone disease," said Brauer.
Authorities believe the owner probably got him as a pet when he was little, but as he got bigger, it became too hard to take care of him.
Once Right Boot snaps back to full health, they'll look for a permanent home for him where people can enjoy him.
They are looking for other reptiles and maybe even a raccoon.
HUBER HEIGHTS- Authorities say charges may be filed against a man who was keeping a 7-foot alligator in his basement.
The Humane Society of Greater Dayton removed the reptile from the man's Huber Heights home on Sunday after getting a tip about mistreatment.
Animal cruelty charges could be filed against the owner and others who appeared in a Facebook video that showed them taunting the animal by pouring beer on its head, causing him to jerk back violently. The owner's name hasn't been released.
Officials say the alligator was not being kept in proper conditions and was not on a proper diet. Its growth is stunted for its age, and it is showing other signs of deteriorating health.
The alligator will be moved to a refuge in Florida.
EARLIER ---------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBER HEIGHTS -- A massive alligator found in a Huber Heights basement Sunday evening.
The 15-year-old alligator named Right Boot is seven feet long.
Someone concerned about the alligator's condition called authorities to take a look. Veterinarians and representatives with the Humane Society say he was not well taken care of and needs some medical attention.
The owner willingly gave him up.
"His teeth are out sideways, they should be up and down, you can see they're a little loose. His face is sunken in and his growth is stunted," said local veterinarian, Daniel Brauer,
The Humane Society and animal group, Outreach for Animals, rescued the alligator.
"He's not walking on his feet, he's probably too weak. He has something we call metabolic bone disease," said Brauer.
Authorities believe the owner probably got him as a pet when he was little, but as he got bigger, it became too hard to take care of him.
Once Right Boot snaps back to full health, they'll look for a permanent home for him where people can enjoy him.
