Monkey

Squatters in Local Swimming Hole

Swimmers meet new residents at area pond

Summer is a time for swimming and enjoying the sun. Local ponds and creeks are constantly crowded with people looking to cool off.

Exotic pets usually come with more work and time then traditional pets like cats and dogs.

Last week, a local teenager found a 3 foot-long alligator in the local pond while swimming with friends. Alligators are not native to the state. Local fish and wildlife personnel say a pet owner who didn't want the animal anymore probably released it. They also said this is a more common occurrence than one might think.

Many of the area's invasive species problems started because pet owners thought they were being humane by letting an animal go in the wild instead of euthanizing it. However, they are doing much more harm.

    There may come a time in a pet owner's life when they no longer want or are unable to properly care for their pet. Not all animal shelters or rescue organizations, that will take dogs and cats, are able to accept exotic animals, leaving the owners with very limited options. Some owners unable to find an alternative home for their pets decide that it is better to let them go in the wild. This is a bad idea for at least five reasons:

  1. It is breaking the law. Releasing pets into the wild is illegal in most areas.
  2. It is inhumane to release an animal that relied on you for food and care for an extended period of time. In the wild, it might not know how to fend for itself and may therefore starve to death or die in extreme climate conditions.
  3. If the animal does manage to survive, it could find a mate and reproduce, putting a strain on existing native animal populations.
  4. If the animal reproduces enough, it could become invasive and start to choke out native species.
  5. In the case of dangerous animals, such as certain snakes and reptiles, the released pet could injure a person or domestic pet.