Please sign and share this petition in an effort to get the maximum punishment for a woman who owned an alligator, an exotic wild animal, and then releasing it at O’Hare airport in Chicago in the middle of large crowds and frigid temperatures. Even though the animal is young and only 25 inches in length, it could harm a human, be subjected to harm itself among these large crowds and the cold that alligators are not used to.
Alligators and other wild, exotic animals are illegal and improper pets to have in a home. Alexis Prokopchuk, 29, of the 17400 block of West Eisenhower in Oak Brook Terrace was arrested after she abandoned an alligator at O’Hare International Airport, resulting in her arrest.
Prior to finding the gator, surveillance cameras on a CTA Blue Line Train noted Ms. Prokopchuk with the alligator at the Pulaski station in the wee hours of the morning. She was also spotted with the gator in her hand, showing it to other passengers on the train. Someone posted images on social media which led to the investigation.
The 25-inch long alligator was found by a maintenance worker at O’Hare on the lower level under an escalator. The police nabbed the gator and held it in a trash container until the Chicago Herpetological Society could take custody of the exotic creature. The gator appeared in poor health; the woman obviously had the animal illegally with no idea of the care it required.
Once back to health, the gator will be shipped to a warmer climate where they reside. One of the caretakers working with the alligator stated that “It is very lucky to have been spotted and captured before the weather killed it.” The alligator is now in good hands but this woman needs to be held accountable, not only for having an exotic wild animal in her possession and then abandoning it the way she did.
Please sign and share this petition in an effort to get the maximum punishment for a woman who owned an alligator, an exotic wild animal, and then releasing it at O’Hare airport in Chicago in the middle of large crowds and frigid temperatures. Even though the animal is young and only 25 inches in length, it could harm a human, be subjected to harm itself among these large crowds and the cold that alligators are not used to.
Chicago Law Enforcement and Judicial System - Ms. Prokopchuk from Oak Brook, Illinois needs to receive the maximum sentencing for not only illegally owning an exotic wild animal but abandoning the alligator in poor health in a crowded airport like O’Hare International in Chicago. Not only did she take on an animal that is prohibited, she obviously did not know of the care it needed, leading to its ill health. She then proceeded to abandon it in an area where it could harm or be harmed in temperatures that would eventually kill it. This fully fledged animal abuse, cruelty, neglect and abandonment! Make her accountable for her actions!
