Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division cited Brenda Howard, 49, of New Orleans on June 29 for alleged illegal possession of a live alligator. 

Agents received information from the New Orleans Police Department that Howard had a small alligator in the backyard of her residence in Orleans Parish. An LDWF nuisance alligator hunter was sent to the residence where he discovered a three-foot live alligator in the backyard as well as various cuts of meat left as food for the alligator. Enforcement agents were called to the residence where they seized the alligator and later released it into the wild. 

The penalties for illegal possession of an alligator are fines of up to $750, up to 120 days in jail, or both, plus court costs.

Agents participating on the case were Senior Agents Kris Bourgeois, Jeff Robinson, and Rachel Zechenelly, Special Agent/Nuisance Hunter Gary Eicke also assisted.