By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
GENEVA — The alligator banned from city limits has taken up residence in Perry, Geneva police officers report, though both North Perry and Perry also have exotic animal ordinances.
Officers revisited the South Eagle Street home of alligator owner Charles Boss, 26, on Saturday to investigate reports of yelling and screaming in the apartment, Geneva police reports show.
Officers were also curious about the status of Boss’ 14-inch pet alligator, which officers determined violated a city ordinance that bans exotic pets and reptiles.
Officers found the alligator in Boss’ apartment on Dec. 21 in a large aquarium, while investigating a loud noise complaint, police reports show.
No charges were filed against Boss in the case, Western County Court records show.
Officers became concerned when the gator “snapped” at a small child, police reports show.
When Officer Roger Wilt was called to Boss’ apartment again on Saturday, he noticed the alligator wasn’t in the large aquarium.
“(Boss) said the alligator went to live with (Boss’) aunt in Perry,” Wilt wrote in his report.
It is against city ordinance 618.17 to shelter, exhibit, market, raise, harbor, breed, maintain or have in possession or control a dangerous or exotic animal. The ordinance defines dangerous or exotic animals as “any wild mammal, reptile or fowl which is not naturally tame or gentle, but is of a wild nature or disposition, and which, because of its size, vicious nature or other characteristics, could constitute a danger to human life or property.”
Both Perry and North Perry have similar ordinances on the books, officials in both towns confirmed Monday.
Geneva’s ordinance specifically bans poisonous animals, fish, reptiles and insects as well as alligators, apes, chimpanzees, gibbons, gorillas, orangutans, baboons, bears, bison, bobcats, cheetahs, crocodiles, constrictor snakes, coyotes, deer, elephants, foxes, fighting birds, hippos, jaguars, lions, ostriches, piranha fish, pumas, rhinos, sharks, poisonous spiders, tigers and wolves. Only veterinarians, educational or medical institutions and museums are exempt from the ordinance.
Saybrook Township officials may also adopt an exotic animal ordinance, Trustee Bob Brobst said, as a Center Road resident has complained about a neighbor’s pet wolf-dog hybrid pets.
