A Beechview man whose pet alligator escaped his home last month faces charges of animal neglect, cruelty to animals and reckless endangerment of another person.

Police seized dozens of animals from a home on the 1400 block of Rutherford Avenue on June 11, several days after the homeowner's 5-foot alligator escaped and was found by a man walking his dog several houses away: https://pittsburghpa.gov/publicsafety/blotterview.html?id=94

While serving the search warrant on June 11, investigators examined the living conditions of every animal in the house and seized any animal or reptile that was deemed to be living in substandard conditions. Investigators also found multiple dead animals and reptiles in the home. The homeowner agreed to surrender all of the seized animals and reptiles

Mark McGowan, 38, will be charged with 33 counts of animal neglect, 1 count of animal cruelty and 1 count of recklessly endangering another person. The District Attorney approved the warrant and a judge signed it this morning.