Outrage in Florida: 'Allie,' an 8.5‑ft Alligator, Killed With a Power Drill After Permit Lapse — Three Men Charged

Residents of Santa Rosa County are reeling after an 8.5-foot female alligator known as "Allie" was removed from a locked retention pond and later killed with a power drill. The March incident has sparked fierce debate over wildlife enforcement, animal welfare and whether permits were properly required and enforced.

What Happened

According to the Pensacola News Journal and officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), former U.S. Navy SEAL Kevin "Dauber" Lacz and two other men, Richard Reder and Jason Griffin, removed Allie from a fenced retention pond near Avalon Boulevard and Bay Meadows Drive. FWC records show a prior nuisance alligator permit for that pond expired in May 2024 and was not renewed. Officers say the men transported the restrained alligator to Lacz's Gulf Breeze home and then "dispatched it using a drill."

Charges and Responses

The three men each face misdemeanor conservation charges related to the killing; all have pleaded not guilty. Greg Whibbs, the men's attorney, told the Pensacola News Journal they had long been licensed to remove alligators and were not acting "rogue." FWC said the suspects did not hold current nuisance alligator permits and therefore were not legally authorized to determine whether the animal was a nuisance.

"The suspects were not legally authorized to make the determination of whether the alligator was a nuisance alligator because they did not have valid nuisance alligator permits," said Ashlee Brahier Sklute, press secretary for the FWC Office of Communications.

Neighbors and Rescuers Speak Out

Neighbors and animal rescuers say Allie posed no known threat. Jennifer Dory, who operates Snake Rescue and Relocation Pensacola, said the alligator lived for years behind a locked gate and 6-foot fence and had been an emotional presence for some community members: "She was a danger to no one, but little did I know that she was in danger." Dory and other rescuers condemned using a power drill as a method of euthanasia, noting it is not approved by the FWC or veterinary associations.

Ashley Rogers, a reptile rescuer who works with Dory, criticized what she sees as uneven enforcement: "I'm not super comfortable with this notion that someone being well-connected means that they can get away with breaking the law..."

Legal Context and FWC Guidance

Under Florida law, harming or possessing an alligator without a permit can carry severe penalties — including a third-degree felony in some cases. Advocates have questioned why felony charges were not pursued in this instance. FWC said it is consulting with law enforcement about questions tied to the case.

FWC handles reports of alligators that threaten people, pets or property through its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program. When complaints meet the program's criteria, the agency issues permits so contracted trappers can remove animals lawfully. The commission urges anyone concerned about an alligator to call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866‑FWC‑GATOR rather than attempting to trap, move, or kill the animal themselves.

Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida. The animal was removed from a fenced retention pond near Avalon Boulevard and Bay Meadows Drive and reportedly transported to Gulf Breeze.