Emotional support alligator Wally, previously barred from a baseball match, is now reported missing.
"Wally Gator", a certified emotional support alligator owned by a man named Henney from Pennsylvania, went missing while he was visiting Georgia on April 21st. According to the Wallygator Facebook page, the animal disappeared from an outdoor pen. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said they responded to a nuisance alligator call in Brunswick, Georgia, and the creature was captured and released in a remote location. However, they have no information to confirm if this was indeed "Wally Gator".
Despite the uncertainty, Henney's family and friends are making efforts to bring him back home. They have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for travel, legal and veterinary expenses. He said that Wally has been a part of their family since it was little over a year old and just 20 inches long. He got the alligator from Florida where there is an 'overabundance of alligators' and they are considered nuisances, often euthanized or put in captivity.
Wally has gained public attention through his appearances at events in their home state and through several popular social media accounts organised by Henney. He is often seen interacting with fans and petting via these accounts. Public attention aside, he has also provided emotional support to Henney during his cancer treatment.
In Pennsylvania, there are no laws banning alligators as pets, whereas in Georgia, only licensed or permitted individuals can retain alligators in captivity. Even though Wally has gained fame in various public places, there have been some places that have not welcomed him. For example, last year, he was denied entry to a Philadelphia Phillies game as Citizens Bank Park only allows service dogs.
In comparison, the US Department of Transportation in 2020 clarified that airlines are not required to recognise emotional support animals as service animals. Service animals are dogs trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, whereas emotional support animals, though prescribed by mental health professionals, do not need to be trained in any particular tasks. Henney had no conflicts with the Phillies and accepted their decision with good spirits.
In a previous interview with CNN in 2022, Henney was fond of Wally, saying "He's just loveable. He sleeps with me, steals my pillows, steals my blankets. He's just awesome.", many people criticising him for keeping the animal as a pet. Wally gets along well with others, never showing signs of anger or aggression, but Henney believes that people need to know the story behind him before judging him.
"Honey" gets criticism for keeping Wally as pet and often receives comments criticising his decision to keep an alligator. However, he mentioned that it is his emotional support and they share a bond like a best friend, "Wally has been into other baseball games, so we assumed it was ok", he said.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, they have received many calls about 'nuisance alligators', and they advise people to contact a permitted alligator agent to handle such situations. The alligator trapper's recent handling of the situation was 'routine'.
The nuisance alligator call earlier this year's capture and release of this creature by a Georgia Department of Natural Resources licensed trapper was deemed as having followed 'appropriate' and 'routine' protocols.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
