Pittsburgh Taking Steps To Regulate Alligators, Crocs And Snakes

PITTSBURGH, PA - After a series of incidents involving alligators wandering around several neighborhoods this year, a city councilwoman wants stricter regulations on gators, crocodiles and venomous snakes in the city.

Councilwoman Darlene Harris wants the owners of those animals to be required to keep them in escape-proof cages and have signs on their homes or businesses alerting people of their presence. She introduced a bill Tuesday that would make those measures mandatory and require all alligators, crocodiles and venomous snakes such as vipers, cobras, puff adders, rattlesnakes, copperheads and lanceheads.

Those found in violation of the regulations would face fines of $300 for each reptile plus costs for a first offense. Subsequent violations would bring fines of $1,000 per reptile plus costs.

Harris' bill comes on the heels of at least five alligators found wandering in and around Pittsburgh this year, most recently in October in Lawrenceville near the Allegheny River.

The first one was found at the South Side Riverfront Park in May. Another was discovered in Beechview in June, the third surfaced in Carrick in June and a fourth was found at the Shaler Giant Eagle in July.

It's unclear if the bill will be voted on before Harris, who was defeated in the May primary, leaves office at the end of the year.

You can view the entire alligator bill by clicking on the link.