Who Would Steal an Alligator?
And Why It Matters
You may already be aware that Wally, the emotional support alligator has been stolen from his owner, Joie Henney while on vacation in Brunswick, Georgia. Whether or not you agree that people should keep alligators as pets, this is a sad story nonetheless, one that we can only hope will have a happy ending.
Mr. Henney brought Wally along while visiting friends in Georgia. Wally was reportedly staying in an enclosure at the friend’s house while Joie went on an early morning fishing trip on April 21st. Joie stated that Wally was still in the pen when he returned from the trip. Joie then went inside for some sleep and when he awoke around 8:00 am, Wally was missing.
It was later reported that Joie was contacted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and informed that Wally was spotted in a local’s backyard and that a licensed wrangler had been dispatched to remove Wally and release him into the Okefenokee swamp. Upon hearing this news, Mr. Henney began to fear for Wally’s safety as he has not had to fend for himself in the wild for the majority of his life.
To add to that, the aforementioned swamp occupies more than 400,000 acres and is home to many other alligators, all adapted to a wild environment.
Where Things Get Weird
While many news outlets have been covering this story, it seems the best way to stay informed on the latest developments is by following the Wallygator Facebook page where the admin provides daily updates. According to the page, the trapper who caught Wally has changed his story multiple times. Initially, he told Mr. Henney that Wally had been released into the swamp and that the chances of him ever being found are “slim to none.”
It was later reported that the trapper may have taken Wally to a private residence instead of the swamp but that has yet to be confirmed. Evidently, the trapper has gone quiet and refuses to cooperate in any efforts to reunite Wally with Mr. Henney.
In an April 28th interview with FOX43 News later released here on youtube, Joie tells the reporter that a man was overheard in a Georgia bar bragging about having stolen Wally and taken him to his basement. According to Mr. Henney, bar staff did not think anything of the man’s statement as Wally had not been reported missing yet.
Once Wally was reported missing, word reached Joie that a man in a bar had made such a statement. Joie told the news reporter that the bar staff were going to try to find out who the man is, but I have yet to find any updates regarding that particular lead.
Georgia Law Further Complicates Things
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, alligators are protected outside of hunting season which begins in August. this means Wally cannot legally by hunted, on the other hand it means he cannot legally be captured and removed from the wild by anyone other than a licensed wrangler and anyone caught doing so will be prosecuted.
Multiple attorneys have been contacted according to the admin of Wally’s Facebook page, but no one has officially taken on this case to help reunite Wally with Mr. Henney.
So, How Did Wally Become an Emotional Support Alligator?
According to a 2022 CBS news broadcast which has been uploaded to YouTube, Wally was found at a young age in a pond at Disney World. Apparently, it is illegal in Florida to relocate an alligator to another spot in the wild, so Joie agreed to take the little guy into his care at his York Haven, Pennsylvania home.
Joie did not anticipate the bond that would form between the two.
A few years after rescuing Wally, Joie became severely depressed following the deaths of loved ones. Joie would sleep for hours at a time on his couch and wake up with Wally resting on his head. Joie told CBS it was during this dark period when Wally began “behaving differently. More affectionate, as if he sensed the depression.”
Why You Should Care
Wally has become an internet sensation in the past couple of years and has touched hearts all over the world. He was ring bearer at a wedding and even attended a Philadelphia Flyers game after being denied entry at a Phillies baseball game. He was also nominated for America’s Favorite Pet in 2022, but the award went to a Collie and a Tabby cat.
You may believe that alligators do not belong in captivity, but consider this, Wally has spent the majority of his life with Joie and does not kill his own food. It would be inhumane to release such an animal into the wild where he has no survival skills.
Wally is a total cuddle bug and has let thousands of people hug and kiss him. Wally was reportedly the inspiration for the Disney + Loki series. He has never bitten anyone or killed anything according to Mr. Henney and he loves watching The Lion King. He’s also terrified of cats. “He’s everything to me,” Joie told FOX43 News.
If you have ever developed a strong bond with a pet, you know how magical it is. Now put yourself in Mr. Henney’s shoes and imagine how tormented you would feel right now. Joie deserves compassion and the peace of mind to be reunited with Wally.
While we do not know who removed Wally from his enclosure or why, one thing is for sure, Mr. Henney is devasted in the absence of his best friend and if you have a heart, it is surely broken after reading this story. If you feel inclined to join the efforts to bring Wally home, there is a Petition you can sign and the Wallygator Facebook page has a link to a GoFundMe if you would like to donate. #BRINGWALLYHOME.
I researched several sources while writing this article, you can find them below.
Joie Henney, owner of Wally Gator, speaks out after animal was stolen (youtube.com)
Concerns Mount Over Emotional Support Gator: Troubling Updates Emerge (msn.com
Wally the emotional support alligator stolen, still missing (usatoday.com)
Wally the emotional support alligator is lost in Georgia, his owner says : NPR
Emotional support alligator (youtube.com)
Man says Emotional Support Alligator Helps his Depression (voanews.com)
