Exotic Incident #1898

Incident Date:
02/12/2013
Location:
Fairfield, CA - USA
Facility Name:
Facility Type:
Exotic Pet (E)
Incident Category:
Legal/illegal issue (LI)
Species:
Reptiles
Animal:
Alligator
Animal disposition:

Summary:

Vacaville police found approximately 50 pounds of marijuana and a handgun in a vehicle they stopped driven by a couple, and upon a search of the couple’s residence, found more marijuana, seven more guns, over $29,000 in cash and a 3-foot dwarf caiman. It is illegal to own caimans in California. The couple were arrested and the caiman was taken to a humane society.

Action take by Born Free USA:

Notes:

The caiman subsequently died of pheumonia. The couple was not charged with cruelty to animals because authorities could not prove that the caiman died due to neglect, although it was strongly suspected.