Pittsburgh council passes ban on gators, crocodiles and certain turtles

Tom Davidson, The Tribune-Review, Greensburg
·2 min read

Mar. 23—Most people who acquire an alligator, crocodile or similar reptile don't realize the care and caution that must be used to keep them as a pet, Pittsburgh police Officer Christine Luffey told City Council members Tuesday.

Luffey was one of the authorities who responded to a spate of reptile complaints two years ago. She spoke in favor of a ban on owning them in the city.

Council first took up the issue more than a year ago and on Tuesday unanimously adopted the ban. It was delayed for a year because of continuing work with the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, which would have violated the law. The zoo is no longer accredited with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which also meant it was violating terms of its lease with the city.

Those issues have been worked out over the last two weeks, Councilwoman Deb Gross said. She serves on the zoo board.

On Friday, zoo officials told Mayor Bill Peduto they are working toward reaccreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a process that will take at least a year. The zoo ended its accreditation with the AZA in 2015 because it disagreed with the organization's safety policy regarding elephants and keepers, while maintaining accreditation with three other organizations.

"Everyone's happy about the current path (the zoo) is on," Gross said.

The move means the zoo will again be in line with its lease and meet the exceptions provided under the reptile ordinance that exempts an AZA-accredited zoo, Councilman Bruce Kraus said. He sponsored the legislation and spent the last year working with zoo leaders and Peduto's office to craft the law.

After responding to several reptile complaints in 2019, Luffey said she felt the alligators, crocodiles and red-eared sliders that were found in the city were being exploited for profit.

Kraus lauded Luffey and others who responded to the complaints as "doing God's work."

Those who have owned alligators, crocodiles or red-eared sliders for six months before the ordinance is enacted are exempt from the ban. They must have $1 million insurance coverage and meet other requirements.

Those who violate the law can face a $1,000 fine.

The mayor supports the legislation and will sign the law, spokesman Tim McNulty said.

Tom Davidson is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tom at 724-226-4715, tdavidson@triblive.com or via Twitter .