WHAT? Fan Brings Emotional Support Alligator to Phillies Game

When you do their job, you swear you've seen everything, but this was a first for security guards at Citizens Bank Park.

Fan Brought an Alligator to the Phillies Game

A fan at Wednesday night's game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates tried to enter the stadium with his emotional support alligator.

Joe Henney of Johnstown, PA. brought Wally, his emotional support gator, to watch the game with him but the the two were denied access, according to USA Today.

The University of Massachusetts Medical School says any domesticated animal may be considered as an ESA (e.g., cats, dogs, mice, rabbits, birds, hedgehogs, rats, minipigs, ferrets, etc.) but they make no mention of an ESA alligator.

How Did This Guy Get an Emotional Support Alligator?

Henney adopted the 5-foot-long Wally in 2015. He said a friend rescues alligators in Florida and contacted him about a group of alligators in danger due to land development.

Henney offered to help and took Wally in. Within a few months, Wally was domesticated like a cat or dog, Henney told the York Daily Record in 2019.

“He was a like a little puppy dog. He would follow us around the house.”

The rule is that an ESA must be able to be manageable in public and does not create a nuisance. That's where most people believe Wally gator would need to step carefully out of the ballpark concessions line.

Wally Gator Has Gone to Other Baseball Games

But, Henney says that Wally has already gone to minor league games in the past.

Citizen's Bank Park has a slightly different emotional support animal standard, though.

"Certified service dogs or service dogs in training for guests with special needs are welcome. All other animals are prohibited."