HIGHLAND | State conservation officers are seeking charges against a Highland pet shop owner accused of providing veterinary services without a license and possessing a 9.5-foot, 350-pound alligator without proper permits.
No charges have been filed against the owner and he has not been accused of committing any crimes. Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Shawn Brown said the pet store is able to continue operations as usual.
According to Brown, conservation officers received a tip that the owner let the huge alligator roam the store freely after business hours. State records showed the man had never been issued a license to possess a dangerous reptile.
During the course of that investigation, officers learned he may be administering veterinary services without a veterinarian's license.
Two undercover conservation officers brought a 3.5-foot alligator to the shop Monday to see if the owner would provide veterinary services for the animal. The man told the officers he was "a reptile veterinarian, a herpetologist and a reptile specialist," before examining the alligator for a $20 fee, police said.
The shop owner allegedly told police he could provide medications and treatment for the animal as well.
According to police, the man told the undercover officers he had a 9.5-foot, 350-pound alligator he lets roam the store at night, saying he uses the crocodilian as an "attack alligator" for the store. He allegedly went on to tell the officers he has to restrain the female alligator each morning with a muzzle and remove her.
Armed with a search warrant, conservation officers raided the shop Tuesday afternoon in search of the alligator, but did not find the animal.
"What I think probably happened was (the owner) was just bragging about it, but didn't really have it," Brown said.
During the course of the raid, officers also seized records indicating the man provided veterinary services without proper licensing.
Indiana law prohibits a person possessing a dangerous reptile without a dangerous reptile permit. A dangerous reptile is defined as a venomous snake or a crocodilian that is at least 5 feet long. A violation of the law is considered a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in prison and a $500 fine.
Practicing veterinary medicine without a license is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in prison and a $1,000 fine.
Brown said no charges had been filed against the owner in connection with the raid, but the Indiana Department of Natural Resources investigative section is planning to seek charges through the attorney general's office and the state Board of Animal Health.
