UK Man Fined for Keeping Pet Alligator Without Proper License

Ashley Betts, 32, housed a 4-foot alligator named Cliff in his backyard for over a year before authorities confiscated the animal.

Ashley Betts, a resident of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was fined nearly £1,000 for keeping an unlicensed American alligator as a pet in his backyard.
The 4-foot reptile, named Cliff, was discovered in July 2024 by police visiting Betts' home for an unrelated matter.
Betts pleaded guilty to violating the UK Dangerous Wild Animals Act, which requires a special license to keep exotic animals like alligators.
Authorities confirmed there was no evidence of animal cruelty or unsafe conditions, and the alligator has since been relocated to a park in Liverpool.
Betts expressed hope of obtaining the necessary license to reclaim Cliff in the future, stating he was unaware of the legal requirements for keeping such an animal.