https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsbu...tiles/27925698
City of Pittsburgh may adopt legislation addressing ownership of exotic animals and reptiles
3 alligators were caught in Pittsburgh neighborhoods over the past month
PITTSBURGH —
Mayor Bill Peduto has a terse response to the recent incidents involving alligators roaming Pittsburgh neighborhoods after escaping from their owners.
"Ridiculous," Peduto said Tuesday. "People, if you have alligators, don't bring them in the city."
Pittsburgh does not have an ordinance to regulate ownership of exotic pets, but Peduto says something may be created very soon.
"I know that Councilwoman (Darlene) Harris has said one of the things she wants to do this year is be able to write an exotic pets ordinance, and we want to work with her on that," Peduto said.
Three alligators were caught in the city within the past months. One of the owners is Mark McGowan, of Beechview, who saw authorities remove nearly three dozen animals from his Rutherford Avenue home, including three more alligators.
Harris was unavailable for comment about her quest to create exotic animal legislation.
Mark Henderson, owner of The Enclosure in Plum, said it's just a matter of time before strict legislation is created, because many people are not responsible with the reptiles.
"I quit selling them years ago, based on the fact that what has happened to them," he said. "I actually sat back and watched the unfolding of a lot of stories."
Henderson said he would not be surprised if the city leveled a heavy-handed crackdown.
"The alligator is going to -- everything is going to come to an end because there's going to be legislation created if these type of actions keep up by the public, unfortunately, so I wish people would be more responsible," he said.