Kiski Township officials draft ordinance to end alligator ownership; police fear more gators are in Kiski River

Sep. 7—Kiski Township officials are clamping down on alligator ownership in the township after two reported alligator sightings in recent weeks along the Kiski River.

In light of the recent capture of a juvenile alligator some nicknamed Chomper in August and a rogue alligator named Neo that remains at large after escaping from its container last week, Kiski Township Police Chief Lee Bartolicius issued a statement Thursday, stressing reptile violators will be prosecuted.

"We are now aware that a small alligator has escaped," Bartolicius said. "That escape was never reported to us. Based on sightings and the new information, we believe there could be two or more alligators on the loose now."

Bartolicius did not provide details on how many sightings were reported over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

He stressed the primary goal is to safely locate, capture and relocate the alligators.

Bartolicius and his police force have again partnered with Armstrong County animal humane officers to capture another alligator.

"We've fielded several calls over the holiday weekend regarding sightings," Bartolicius said.

"It is our secondary goal to locate and arrest the irresponsible owners who are intentionally releasing these alligators into the wild," Bartolicius said.

Violators will be charged with releasing a non-native species into a commonwealth waterway, Bartolicius said.

In Pennsylvania, it's legal to own non-native species of amphibians and reptiles as long as they are not released, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Additionally, no state permit is required to keep such animals, and state law doesn't regulate reptiles. It's up to the municipality to ban, limit or require permits, said state Rep. Abby Major, R-Ford City, in a previous Tribune-Review interview.

Kiski Township Solicitor Myron Sainovich drafted a new ordinance Wednesday that, if passed, will regulate and control the keeping of animals in the township.

In the proposed ordinance, new regulations pertaining to dogs, household and farm pets and animals and reptiles are addressed.

Specifically all "crocodilians," including the American alligator, can't be owned, possessed or even transported.

Violators may face fines ranging from $300 to $1,000.

The 15-page proposal is on display at the township building. The township supervisors are set to vote on the ordinance Oct. 11.

If enacted, the ordinance will go into effect Nov. 30.

Sainovich did not return request for follow up questions Thursday.

Township Secretary Patrick Bono said Thursday some residents previously have complained about the numerous alligators kept at the residence of Dominic Hayward on Brownstown Road.

Bono said the most recent complaint lodged was from a neighbor who spoke in opposition to alligators as pets at the supervisors' August meeting.

"They (residents) complaining mostly comment that they can't believe people have alligators. And the one neighbor is fearful that alligators may get loose and end up in her yard," Bono said. "We've got to do something."

Three neighbors all declined to provide their name Thursday when asked to comment about living yards away from multiple alligators on Brownstown Road.

The three said they were angry and feared their property values will be diminished because of the pet alligators.

One elderly neighbor threatened to shoot any alligator that ends up in his yard.

Hayward, the alligators' owner, declined comment Thursday.

In a 2021 interview with the Tribune-Review, Hayward said his alligators don't pose a threat to the public, adding he keeps them locked up.

But in recent years, alligator sightings in Pennsylvania have become more common.

Kiski Township police will work with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission to enforce violators.

Armstrong County Humane Officer Amber Phillips said Thursday she's back on gator patrol after being instrumental in the safe capture and relocation of Chomper in August.

Phillips owns and operates the nonprofit Champion's Crusaiders Rescue based in Parks Township.

She said the news of a second reported alligator sighting this week, believed to be a baby alligator named Neo, is disheartening.

"I only know of the one, but it's definitely possible. I put nothing past society," Phillips said. "I'm working different angles to try to capture it safely."

Bartolicius urged area residents and river-goers to assist in providing authorities with tips and information regarding alligators.

"We ask for the community to assist us with this by reporting any sightings immediately and without delay so we can have the most accurate and timely information as possible," Bartolicius said.

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .