Former Beechview Resident, Owner Of 'Chomp' The Alligator, Acquitted Of Animal Cruelty, Found Guilty Of Reckless Endangerment
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Over two years after an alligator escaped a Beechview home, his owner has been found guilty of reckless endangerment.
In June of 2019, Pittsburgh Police and animal control officers were called to the city's Beechview neighborhood to subdue an alligator on the loose.
Police and animal control officers cornered it against the side of a garage and used a pole and duct tape to keep its mouth shut.
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- Owner Of Alligator Found In Beechview Comes Forward, Wants Alligator Back
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Following the escape and capture, Mark McGowan contacted KDKA saying that 'Chomp' was his pet.
According to the Tribune-Review, McGowan was found guilty of reckless endangerment in addition to numerous summary neglect charges related to his care of rabbits, quail, and rats.
McGowan was acquitted on numerous neglect charges in relation to reptiles and acquitted of animal cruelty.
McGowan has been sentenced to two years probation and will be unable to own animals or live with someone who owns animals for that same time period.
