Authorities seize 6-foot pet alligator from Long Island back yard

MEDFORD, N.Y., April 25 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in New York state said they assisted authorities in seizing a 6-foot alligator that was being kept as a pet in a Long Island back yard.

The Suffolk County SPCA announced a report came in Sunday of an alligator being kept illegally at a Medford home and Department of Environmental Control officers were called in to investigate.

The SPCA said it assisted the DEC with removing the 6-feet reptile and relocating it to a licensed wildlife sanctuary located out of state.

"Alligators do not make good pets and one of this size could be deadly. Alligators will bite the hand that feeds them," Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.

The SPCA said the owner of the illegal pet is facing charges from DEC.