Man in trouble for making alligator a pet

CHATSWORTH, Ga. — Wildlife officials have cited a north Georgia man for removing a 33-inch alligator from a private pond and taking it to Chatsworth.

Records from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources show 22-year-old Justin Charles caught the alligator June 14 while fishing in a pond in Cordele, about 60 miles south of Macon.

An officer from the agency removed the alligator last week.

Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Robin Hill says the alligator appeared to be in good shape and looked as it it had been fed and taken care of.

The agency arrested Charles and cited him for being in possession of a wild animal without a permit and possession of a wild animal without insurance.

A court date is set for July 24. But Murray County Probate Court Judge Dale Adams says Charles has been told he can pay a fine of $121 before the court date.

Charles says he wanted the alligator as a pet because "It was just so neat."

Hill says the alligator will not be returned to the wild until after Charles' court date. For now, she says the alligator is being kept at an undisclosed location.