Later, gator: Philadelphia Phillies deny emotional support alligator from entering stadium

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (AP) — See ya later, alligator.

A Pennsylvania man, along with his alligator, were not allowed intoCitizens Bank Park to see the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

WallyGator serves as a licensed emotional support animal. The reptile is owned by Joie Henney.

Social media posts showed the gator on a leash wearing a harness with his name on it outside the ballpark.

"Are you kidding me. A #Phillies fan tried to come into a game tonight with what they said was a 'service animal,'" Howard Eskin, a talk show host for SPORTSRADIO 94WIP, wrote on X, which is the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "An alligator! Yes an Alligator. Things I've never seen. This is it."

Citizens Bank Park's policy on support animals is posted on the Phillies' official website. It notes that while guide dogs, service animals, or service animals in training are welcome, "all other animals are prohibited."

WallyGator is popular on social media. The gator has more than 26,000 followers onInstagram,as well as at least 110,500 onTikTok.

Videos and photos show people holding and hugging the reptile.

In one image, a child appears to be kissing WallyGator on the mouth.

CNN previously reported that WallyGator, who is 8 years old, lives with Henney in York and "his go-to treats are cheese puffs and raw chicken."

Henney spoke to The Philadelphia Inquirer last year and said WallyGator helps him battle depression and that “he likes to give hugs.” Henney said then that the gator had never bitten anyone.

It is legal to own an alligator as a pet in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

"The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s regulations do not regulate possession of non-native species of reptiles and amphibians," the agency's website notes. "So, long as these animals are not released into the wild, there are no state regulations regarding their ownership. Likewise, there is no state permit required to possess these animals. However, there may be local municipal ordinances, which regulate the ownership of “dangerous animals” and you should check with your local government before purchasing such an animal."

As for the baseball game, the Phillies beat the Pirates 7 to 6.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.