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yesterday

Walmart Confirms Alligators Not Allowed After Shopper Brings 5-Foot Pet Into Pennsylvania Store

With no state permit required to own an alligator in Pennsylvania, access to public venues hinges on each business’s safety policy.

Wesley Silva with his pet alligator in Pittsburgh.
A juvenile alligator pictured during a nature demonstration in Norwalk, Connecticut.
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Overview

  • Walmart said customer and employee safety is its top priority and stated that alligators are not permitted on its premises.
  • Company policy welcomes only service animals recognized under the ADA, such as dogs and miniature horses, not exotic pets.
  • Photos this month showed owner Wesley Silva pushing his 5-foot, 32-pound alligator, Jinseioshi, in a shopping cart at a West Brownsville store while the reptile wore a dress.
  • Silva said he has visited that Walmart for about three and a half years and claims the alligator has received warm receptions at restaurants, including what he called VIP treatment at Denny’s.
  • The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission says owning an alligator is legal without a state permit if it is not released into the wild, and the National Wildlife Federation notes the species can grow beyond 12 feet and 1,000 pounds.