An alligator was turned over to the Suffolk SPCA and state Department of Environmental Conservation Tuesday after the owner, who purchased the alligator out of state, did not have a license to own it in New York.
The 2-foot American alligator will now be transported to a wildlife sanctuary.
The SPCA says 22 alligators had been illegally released in a previous year on Long Island.
SPCA Chief Roy Gross said, "Alligators do not make good pets, are a danger to the public, and are illegal to own without a license."
Photos courtesy Suffolk County SPCA