Reptiles

7-foot alligator removed from Ohio basement

Associated Press
Published | Updated

June 3, 2013: Brandon Woods, left to right, an assistant veterinary technician at Dayton South Veterinary Clinic and Tim Harrison, director of Outreach for Animals carrying an alligator to an examination room at the Humane Society of Greater Dayton and Outreach for Animals in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Dayton Daily News, Lisa Powell)

June 3, 2013: Brandon Woods, left to right, an assistant veterinary technician at Dayton South Veterinary Clinic and Tim Harrison, director of Outreach for Animals carrying an alligator to an examination room at the Humane Society of Greater Dayton and Outreach for Animals in Dayton , Ohio. Authorities say animal cruelty charges may be filed against the man who was keeping a 7-foot alligator in his basement in suburban Dayton. (AP/Dayton Daily News)

Authorities near Dayton, Ohio, say charges may be filed against a man who was keeping a 7-foot alligator in his basement.

The Humane Society of Greater Dayton removed the reptile from the man's Huber Heights home on Sunday after getting a tip about mistreatment.

The Dayton Daily News reports that animal cruelty charges could be filed against the owner and others who appeared in a Facebook video that showed them taunting the animal. The owner's name hasn't been released.

Officials say the alligator was not being kept in proper conditions and was not on a proper diet. Its growth is stunted for its age, and it is showing other signs of deteriorating health.

The alligator will be moved to a refuge in Florida.

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