Man sues New York state to get back pet alligator
Singer says she was drunk while singing anthem
An upstate New York man whose 750pound alligator was seized is suing the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in an effort to get him back.
The man said that the agency was wrong not to renew a licence for the pet he looked after for more than 30 years. Conservation officers entered Tony Cavallaro’s home in the Buffalo suburb of Hamburg in March, sedated the 11foot alligator named Albert, taped his mouth shut and drove off with him, saying Cavallaro’s licence to keep the reptile expired in 2021 and hadn’t been renewed.
In his lawsuit filed with the state Supreme Court, Cavallaro said the agency’s denial of his licence wasn’t “factually based,” his attorney, Peter Kooshoian, said on Tuesday.
The DEC does not comment on pending litigation, a spokesman said via email when asked for a response to the claims. It previously said Albert’s enclosure didn’t sufficiently ensure that he would not come into contact with people, and that the alligator was afflicted by “blindness in both eyes and spinal complications” – conditions Cavallaro disputes.
Albert was taken to Gator Country, a Beaumont, Texas, rescue facility where visitors can interact with the alligators and other reptiles.
After a widely panned performance of the US national anthem at the MLB Home Run Derby, country singer Ingrid Andress apologised on Tuesday and said she was drunk.
“I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “That was not me last night. I apologise to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition.” The MLB is not commenting, spokesperson Matt Bourne said. A representative for Andress said there will be no additional comment at this time. On Monday night, the four-time Grammy nominee belted an a cappella version of The Star-Spangled Banner, an incredibly challenging song to sing. Clips of her less-thanpopular rendition at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, went viral.
Sports Illustrated writer Alex Carr posted on X, “I’m so sorry, I’m sure Ingrid Andress is a wonderful person, but that was one of the worst national anthems I think I’ve ever heard in my whole life.”
Andress, 32, began her career as a Nashville songwriter, penning songs for performers across genres, including the critically acclaimed Boys, which became an international hit for British singer Charli XCX.
Soon, she inked a deal with Warner Music Nashville and Atlantic Records for her own music, releasing her debut album Lady Like in 2020. Her breakthrough single More Hearts Than Mine peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the list for 20 weeks.