/wion/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/26/2024-12-26t112006978z-wion-white-logo-for-website-2-1.png){kind=logo}
/wion/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/13/2024-12-13t071548098z-wionlogo.webp)
/wion/media/member_avatars/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2022/07/12/278612-24514205146505306283199378313484314584307560n.jpg)
/wion/media/member_avatars/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2022/07/12/278612-24514205146505306283199378313484314584307560n.jpg)
/wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/05/05/429428-the-battle-for-kyiv-2024-05-05t183420497.jpg)
Pennsylvania, US
A Pennsylvania resident, who credits an alligator named Wally with helping ease his depression, has reported that the reptile disappeared while the family was vacationing on the Georgia coast. According to The Independent, Wally, known as the "emotional support alligator," was set free in a swamp after being stolen by a gang of pranksters. Wally had gained popularity as an emotional support animal and has active social media accounts with a large following.
In a recent social media update, Joie Henney, the owner of Wally, posted that his pet alligator had been stolen. Henney has been providing regular updates on Wally's Facebook page since then, including a photo of the missing reptile. He disclosed that Wally was taken from his enclosure in the early hours of April 21.
He wrote, “Help is needed!!!! Wally has been stolen…no this is not a joke. He was taken from his pen on Sunday the 21st sometime between 4:30 am to 7:00 am while in Brunswick Georgia. Walking searches have been conducted to no avail. If anyone sees or hears anything please contact Joie directly. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.”
In another Facebook post, Henney said that pranksters took Wally and left him outside someone's house. The person called the authorities, who then caught Wally and let him go in the wild.
He wrote, “Okay everyone I am going to lay things out to the best of my ability. Wally was stolen by some jerk who likes to drop alligators off into someone's yard to terrorise them. Once discovered they called DNR, DNR then called a trapper. The trapper came and got Wally and dropped him off in a swamp with about 20 other alligators that same day. The swamp is very large and the trapper said the chances of them finding Wally are slim to none. But this is Wally…..Joie and friends are currently headed to the swamp to search and will continue daily. We just pray with other alligators present that Wally is ok. We are not releasing the location at this time, however, if anyone wants to aid in the search please contact Joie directly for more details. Please continue to pray because we need a miracle. Thank you all for your love and support.”
Henney also shared a detailed note, thanking everyone for supporting him.
As of Wednesday, they haven't found the alligator yet, according to The Independent.
(With inputs from agencies)