6-foot-long alligator turned over to Suffolk County SPCA

SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (WABC) -- A nearly 6-foot-long American alligator named Rocky was turned over to the Suffolk County SPCA Tuesday by its owner of 17 years.

The owner, Andre' Ricaud, founded "Original Party Pets," which takes exotic animals to kids parties to teach them about animals. He had valid licenses for the alligator and had owned it since it was a baby.

But Ricaud said it's gotten too big and wants to send it to a proper home. Ricaud also said that reptiles are dangerous and should not be kept as pets.

Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross said that the alligator was given to the SPCA so that the group could find proper care for Rocky.

Gross said Rocky was turned over to Michael Ralbovsky, a licensed herpetologist from Rainforest Reptile Sanctuary in Massachusetts.