Calling them pranksters is so dystopian. Even just 15 years ago, they would be put in prison for stealing an animal from someone.

Not only that, but the "prankster" knowingly stole the emotional support animal from an elderly. That's beyond fucked up!

Imagine: "Pranksters stole your dog and put it in someone else's yard. Animal control retrieved the 'nuisance animal' and released it in the wilderness. We won't tell you where."

If my neighbor had a celebrity pet alligator, and I saw a gator in my backyard, I think I’d call my neighbor first

GOOD NEWS: The owner, Joie Henney, has contacted a lawyer who says the have "a pretty good idea" of who took Wally and are prepared to "take whatever legal steps we can take to get Wally back.”

They aren’t pranksters. They need to be charged

4chan is starting to get a whiff of this, it isn’t long before whoever took this alligator’s full name and address is on the internet for everyone to see.

It's weird to me that there are people out there that see someone happily minding their own business and think "oh cool, I'm going to ruin their life."

Trapper definitely killed the alligator, that's why he's acting shady af. Additionally, that "prankster" is a thief and needs to be charged and sent to prison.

I don't understand how this isn't a bigger deal. His pet was stolen in a malicious act - I would 100% be pressing charges on everyone involved.

alligators can survive about a year without food. as long as he stays hydrated in the swamp or doesnt get killed by another alligator he should survive until they find him.

Something tells me the trapper won’t give up the info on where he released the alligator because he probably didn’t release him. My guess is he either sold him, kept him, or killed him. I don’t see any other reason he wouldn’t tell them where he dumped him. Edit: Also, the neighbors that had the alligator placed in their yard had no idea their neighbor had an emotional support alligator? Really? I find that extremely hard to believe.

The fact that the trapper REFUSES to just say where Wally ended up is a bad sign.

Kidnapping an emotional support animal is so fucked up. Especially an animal so unique

>"Prank" > *Commits a crime* Every time

To add a bit of context as to why that trapper might refuse to help: within the community of people who take care of alligators and other wild animals, it is well known you can train an animal like this to be calm and respond positively to certain things, but they also emphasize the fact that it is still a wild animal that will never be domesticated. These people do not respect Wally's owner because they believe his behavior to be dangerous and inappropriate, and as professionals i am a bit inclined to believe that if Wally was any bigger he'd be a threat regardless of how sweet he might seem on a daily basis. That being said, you cannot steal someone's pet, no matter if it's a cat, a spider, a tiger or a god damned alligator, there's a big difference between criticizing someone's sense of what's safe and removing the threat yourself when no one asked you to.

People need to understand that wild animals raised as pets can never go back to the wild. The predators lose the ability and knowledge of how to successfully hunt and the prey don't know how to survive longer then 24 hours. Also screw those pranksters for kidnapping him, hope they get sued for robbery of possession or whatever they can throw at them.

”Prankster.” Some people do not deserve the air they breathe.

Stealing someone's emotional support animal isnt a prank its a purely malicious act meant to hurt someone. Absolutely disgusting.

This is not a prank. Outright kidnapping an animal, even an alligator, should be dealt with through legal action.

Sad part is, introducing an animal into the wild is extremely difficult. This alligator is so docile and non-aggressive, he's likely to die of starvation. I think calling the people who kidnapped him "pranksters" is being way too nice.

The trapper isn't going to say where they dumped the alligator because they likely killed it and don't want anyone to find out.

What’s so brutal about this too is not only has he lost his pet - but documenting their lives together was this man’s livelihood. This person took everything from him.

Remember when pranking used to be innocent little jokes or tricks that you would play on someone? Like a “haha gotcha” moment? Where did those ever go?

The stealing of a pet should be a greater crime, not just common theft

Wally is most likely dead. I want to pass along some important background info pertaining to this situation. If someone calls in a nuisance alligator, a trapper is sent out to deal with that gator. The state of Georgia doesn’t allow relocation of nuisance alligators over 4 feet in length (idk how long Wally was but if he was over that then he definitely wasn’t relocated). Majority of trappers shoot the gator to sell the meat and hide. Some will also lie about the destiny of that gator (Lying that it will go to a good farm, but is actually shot). Hence why the trapper won’t say anything about the whereabouts of Wally. Even if he was small enough to relocate and the trapper was nice enough to actually do that, alligators have been known to cannibalize and attack other alligators in territorial disputes. Dropping Wally suddenly into a swamp with 20 other gators could cause him to get attacked by the others as he would be seen as an intruder. They can also die from too much stress. That psychopath who stole Wally needs to be found and charged for their crimes!

4Chan about to end this "prankster". Go 4Chan, i believe in y'all.

The trapper not telling them where Wally is super suspicious. He definitely killed Wally and doesn't want to admit it.

The kidnapping of such a wholesome animal like Wally as a "prank" is so unbelievably SICKENING.

That “prankster” should go be the one to grab Wally from the other gators

The thieves basically killed this animal and took away a man's pet that was worth more to him than everything else he owned. When people start throwing large ass number for prison sentences around I think they are stupid (someone will just say a "measly" 5 years when they have no concept what 1 year would be like) but for this the thieves should pay big time. Rather than jail time at all I'd rather them be sued into oblivion for emotional damages. I know some men can't fathom their dog off 10 years thy nurses as a pup as the same thing as a alligator but it is. At least to this guy.

We need to alert 4chan to this, Those guys there could locate the prankster and report him to the authorities.

The trapper probably isn’t giving up the location of the gator because the gator isn’t alive anymore. He definitely either humanely or inhumanely euthanized it and doesn’t wanna be caught for THEIR mistake. The amount of times the story changed because of them is enough evidence as is. Anytime a story changes abruptly the person being questioned is normally in the wrong/in on it.

They’re definitely not “pranksters”, they’re criminals. The word “prankster” doesn’t even have the same meaning anymore

What saddens me more is that Wally wouldn't have been able to defend himself against any other alligators that may try to attack him. So it's entirely possible that he's been murdered by some of the other reptiles in the swamp.

They are not pranksters. They are criminals

Trapper isn't giving information about where he dropped him off, because he doesn't want the alligator to be found. This could be for several reasons, my money is on: 1: Alligator died in front of trapper 2: Alligator sustained abuse amidst capture 3: Alligator was shot by trapper using a "Bang stick" These trapper companies are not regulated enough in my opinion

Pranksters is a word that surely pisses me off nowadays

I've met wally, he came to a local market regularly, he was the coolest gator. I have a few pictures holding him.

2:28 the fucking sigh he let out. You know his heart is broken whoever stole the gator needs to be charged this is fucked up bruh

The trapper killed the gator instead of freeing it and has to protect that secret so he doesn't lose his job.

the tracker is far from innocent if theyre refusing to give information. either theyre hiding something, or they're just cruel.

The fact that man refers to himself as “Wally’s dad” 🥹🥹

darkest pit of hell waiting for the kidnapper

The fact that someone can just come up and take their pet away is messed up.

Worst part is, they could’ve easily taken his owner to that area, it’s well established that alligators recognize human voices, had they taken him there and went around with him calling Wally, and if Wally was still alive, he’d probably return to his voice. I’m betting they offed the gator and are just claiming they released it

That "prankster" should be in prison. The trapper not cooperating with the investigation is also suspicious.

It should be studied by scientists how much i hate pranksters.

The "prankster" should be John wicked. Pets are family in my book.

Stuff like this being classified as mere "theft" really rubs me the wrong way. This is a living, breathing, sentient being, that loves and is loved by its adoptive family, not some common household object you can simply replace. Cases like these should be treated as kidnapping, and punished as such, end of discussion.

I feel so bad for that gator. He had the most terrifying moments before his death.

It doesn’t even need to be the emotional support of an elderly, kidnapping in general is just a literal crime. There are no pranks here.

I really hope the trapper didn't just shoot Wally and then lied to Joie on where exactly he dropped Wally off. Because why would he change his story to where he dropped him off and then refuse to tell him where?

Saddest part is there's likely a reason the Trapper won't say anything. More times than not Trappers just kill the gators they catch, because releasing it into a pond which already has gators is a death sentence for it. The trapper likely killed Wally :(

This story is infuriating. I hope Wally is okay and Joe finds his friend.

even real pranksters would actually hate that "human" who kidnapped wally

As a pet owner, this is tragic. I hopefully that he sues them civilly.

Can we have nothing pure in this world?

This is as bad as Peta stealing dogs off of their owner's porch. Glad to see Charlie covering Wally's kidnapping.

What kind of sick person steals someones support animal. I wish the worst for them

Imagine having your best friend kidnapped and just thrown into a place where he has no hope of surviving. Its Incredibly heartbreaking.

If the trapper is refusing to help rescue an emotional support animal that is a Hollywood star, 100% he never dropped him off. He poached him. Zero doubt. He should be put in jail for the rest of his life.

Why must such a pure soul, sweeter than a dog and cuter than a kitty, be taken out of this bleak world. May lovely Wally rest in peace and join his dad in the end.

9:15 a lot of us from Georgia know how to handle alligators if it's ever necessary for whatever reason As a reptile lover & Georgian, it saddens me that someone would do something so irresponsible for shits & giggles

Everyone deserves emotional support aligator in their life.

Everyone needs to learn to differentiate the meaning of “pranking” and “ruining someone’s life”

They’re criminals not pranksters. Broke onto this guys property and stole his pet. Charge anyone you can to the full extent of the law. For example charge the trapper for refusing to say where he sent the alligator. He’s hiding information, pressure him. Bet you a large amount of money that Wally never made it to another pond. He got put down, cleaned and sold. Trapper saw a few thousand/hundred dollars in his eyes and took it. Only way for this owner to soften the blow is to know the idiots who committed the crime lose their chance at good life’s also.

Didn’t know alligators could be so cute, there’s something so adorable about wally smiling and seeing his eyes go all over the place.

If I’ve learned one thing from the internet it’s that you don’t mess with the bound between a Florida Man and his Alligator. Those pranksters and the trapper better hope he finds Wally, for their own sake.

Trapper totally just killed the alligator and didn't relocate it. That's the only reason not to tell.

I hate people that steal reptiles, especially emotion support alligators

Joe needs to claim Wally as a source of income, not just a pet, and sue the prankster jackasses for lost income.

Unfortunately a gator as passive as him likely would have been cannibalized by the other gators, assuming he knew how to hunt and stuff.

Kidnapping any animal is low of the low, and doing that with an emotional support animal is possible the worst crime a person can do to any domesticated animal.

Very sad situation😭 SO sorry for this alligator and his owner.. 😢 Sending so much love and healing energy to the owner🙏 Love from South Africa xxx ❤

I live in Georgia, and I learned this in 8th grade: The Okefenokee Swamp is basically a large freshwater wetland-the largest in the U.S.-and the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a reserve that protects the threatened and endangered species and all of the wildlife there.

i have a theory that it was a pre meditated kidnapping, 3 people so comfortable just TACKLING, THROWING, and capturing a alligator without knowing it was wally. Think of it, she tackled a frickin alligator with no fear first instinct. they must of known it wasn't an alligator that would have not attacked them like wally

I mean one of the worst parts about the "prankster" is that I'd bet the reason he was so comfortable about stealing a gator was they knew it was wally. You aren't going to be scared of a gator that has a rep for being nice, calm, and never biting people. Some people are sick.

Two days ago there was a sighting of a 3 1/2 alligator in a metropark in michigan. long shot but maybe?

This is horrific. If he was actually released…Alligators have great tracking skills. They’re notoriously hard to relocate because they can get back home even if they’re dumped hundreds of miles away…If he’s not dead, he could be on his way back home. Fingers crossed.

Its sad to see a companion you love disappear just like that. Hope to see Wallie return to Joe's hands safe and sound.

I got to meet Wally once along with his owner, he was nice, mainly met them through having to draw Wally in an art class to practice illustrating an animal. He was scary at first because alligators are intimidating but from the amount of people touching and petting him and his overall mood, he was chill. I hope Wally can be found and brought back to his owner.

The obvious solution is to make the "pranksters" just wade on in there and start hugging alligators until they find the one that doesn't bite.

Just wait till that “prankster” is dumped in prison.

We need to call 4chan to find the gator...

This whole prankster movement needs a new law. It’s so easy to say it was a joke

I bet that "prankster" is a PETA supporter. Ugh.

I really hope you can update us about this situation because man it's heart wrenching

This legit hits hard for me personally. A couple of years ago Joie came to our church with Wally for a special sermon and at the end of the morning sermon he was at the front entrance hall where we were able to pet Wally if we'd like. I got to pet him and he was extreme calm and chill. Hope we get Wally back 🙏

Why would someone do this to Wally! Using a alligator as a prank is horrible. They should use the "prankster" to find which one isn't vicious.

You'd think the trapper person would legally be required to give up the information seeing as its a service animal.

I don’t see how stealing someone’s pet and letting it get taken away can be called a prank.

Rip Wally. He sounded like a kind soul, and he didn’t deserve his fate. My heart goes out to his owner.

Note to self: never be part of a feel good story. The internet will always find a way to ruin your life and call you a scammer. The "pranksters" that stole him should absolutely be charged.

My heart goes out to the cute gator that has the sweetest soul and it's heartbroken owner :C

I live in Hershey Pa, I’ve met Wally! He really is very sweet. Still hoping they find him safe

if wally wasn’t killed by the trapper, then he likely died of starvation or was killed by another gator. so sad

There's a similar story out of a small Florida town (somewhere in the Panhandle). He was fully grown and wild, living out of a pond in town or something, but was completely friendly and liked to walk around where people hung out. His name was Blinky bc he was missing an eye, and was pet on the regular by adults and children alike. His favorite food was marshmallows. He got so popular he became the town mascot, but some new person was put into county/state office or something like that and told the town they either had to relocate him or build a 6 foot fence around his pond. They couldn't afford the fence, so they were forced to relocate him. He picked a fight with a bigger lizard (after breaking into the enclosure) and died at the rescue he was taken to.

human shit has more value than whoever kidnapped the aligator

This was EVIL. That "prankster" is going to the deepest depths of hell. I hope that Wally is okay and Joe finds him