Local authorities can issue licences for wild animals (Image: Getty)
Ashley Betts, 32, kept ‘Cliff’ the American alligator in a purpose-built outhouse and tank in his back garden for over a year before it was found and seized by police.
The reptile which was 1.2 metres long was discovered on July 11 last year by officers who were visiting on a separate matter and asked Betts for a his license to own the animal.
Sheffield Magistrate’s Court heard on March 12 how Betts from Rotherham, South Yorkshire “did not know” he needed papers to keep the alligator as he pleaded guilty to breaching the Keeping Dangerous Animals Act.
When later asked by officers where he got the animal, the 32-year-old said he received it from ‘a friend’ a year before, but declined to say who.
The court heard Cliff was seized by inspectors from Rotherham Borough Council’s animal welfare service, and is now reportedly being kept at an unspecified park in Liverpool.
However, the court heard Betts is now working to get the gator back.
His defence counsel, Mr James Gray, told the court: “Mr Betts is not being prosecuted for neglect or mistreatment.
“What he is hoping to achieve is by working with the appropriate departments of the council he can one day obtain a licence and apply to get the alligator back.”
In sentencing, the bench said there was “no suggestion” the animal was being kept poorly, or in a way that was unsafe to the alligator or other people.
Betts was fined £333, ordered to pay a £133 surcharge and £468 in costs.
The American alligator is a large crocodilian reptile native to Southeastern United States and a small section of northeastern Mexico.
Adult male American alligators usually measure between 3.4 to 4.6 metres in length, while adult females have an average length of between 2.6 to 3 metres.
Local authorities can issue licences for wild animals such as wild cats, primates, wild dogs such as wolves, certain types of pigs and marsupials.
A full list of animals that require a wild animal licence can be found on Gov.uk.