Baby alligator rescued from home in Suffolk County

MASTIC BEACH, NEW YORK (WABC) -- A 30-inch baby alligator was rescued from a home in Mastic Beach over the weekend. The alligator was dropped off to a rescue group who called the Suffolk County SPCA.

The SPCA contacted the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation police. Both agencies responded, and the SPCA confiscated the alligator.

In just a few more years, the alligator will grow to more than 10 feet in length, which might explain why it was turned over.

Over the past several months, the SPCA has received or confiscated scores of exotic animals, from monkeys and leopards to Burmese pythons, turtles, an electric eel and alligators. In just the past 18 months, more than two dozen alligators have come in.

Experts say it may be that more and more people are getting exotic pets, but it may also be that more people are turning them in or turning them loose.

Chief Roy Gross, of the Suffolk County SPCA, said that there are amnesty days held throughout the year for people to drop off illegal reptiles and avoid criminal charges.

The last amnesty day netted 29 reptiles and two marmoset monkeys.