A Lakeland woman continues her fight to keep Rambo - her alligator companion.
A Lakeland woman continues her fight to keep Rambo - her alligator companion. Florida Fish and Wildlife denied Mary Thorn’s permit to keep and exhibit her gator because she doesn’t have two and a half acres of land. FWC says Thorn’s time to appeal has passed. Her lawyer Spencer Sheehan says the land requirement wouldn’t serve a purpose for Rambo since he’s mostly indoors because of sensitivity to sun exposure.“I see this as a case where an administrative agency one is applying an all-purpose rule for I guess a situation that may not warrant it and Mary has brought to my attention certain legal issues that may or may not have been presented to the FWC”, said Sheehan.
Sheehan also questions why Thorn wasn’t grandfathered in since the land requirement came into effect after she got Rambo. FWC says it would be irresponsible to allow Thorn to keep her growing gator at her property without meeting the requirements.
FWC also says based on photos in the media and social media Thorn isn’t following proper safe handling guidelines for public contact with alligators.