Investigators responded to the home on Brewton Court after they received a complaint. When they arrived, they found 22 roosters, chickens and pheasant living in a fenced-in area next to a pond.
They also found the alligator in a cage in a wooded area, 21 turtles in a pool and a pig.
"Basically, about a three by four foot wire cage that the alligator was in,” said trapper Vernon Yates.
"We knew that there were lots of exotic birds running around the neighborhood. Because every time we would drive up and down the street we'd see peacocks," said neighbor Seth Dennis. "As far as the alligator goes, I know there are alligators around here in the ponds because I've fished in these ponds but the fact that she had one trapped in a cage, I don't know what she was going to do, or he was going to do with that."
Officials said the animals were not in good health, and that they were not being kept properly, as they did not have access to food and water, their cages were too small and the conditions were unsanitary.
"The pool was really nasty. I didn't see the condition the pig was in. I didn't see the condition of the chickens but I did see the alligator. There was no water on the alligator and it was in a small cage,” said Lt. George Wells, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Police say it appears the couple was raising the more than 40 animals on their property as a food source.
"The indication that we're getting from a preliminary assessment is that they are being used as a food supply,” said Clearwater Police spokesperson Elizabeth Watts.
Officials from Florida Fish and Wildlife, the SPCA, Animal Control and a private wildlife company helped with the removal of the animals.
“I just think the neighborhood is not for that. If they wanted to have animals and fowls and things like that then it should not be in this neighborhood,” said neighbor Arlington Nunn. “When you have a lot of animals and fowls around like that, that creates, draws snakes and rats and all the other animals that you don’t want in the neighborhood.”
As for the what will happen to the gator, Yates said a judge will have to make that decision.
"If we can find he was truly a wild alligator then he'll be released again," he said. "If we can't prove where he came from, then he'll basically stay in our collection and we'll try and find him a home in a zoo."
The homeowners are facing misdemeanor charges of animal abuse and possession of an American alligator. They have also been cited for violating city ordinances against possession of birds and wild animals.
(13News - Jan 10, 2013)
