Two brothers were arrested last week after a heated argument over anime led to the death of a pet crocodile in Anchorage.
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Alaska State Troopers arrested 33-year-old Tyler Lowe and 30-year-old Rickey Lowe, charging them with animal cruelty. The incident began when the brothers argued in their apartment, which escalated when Tyler allegedly threw Rickey’s pet alligator into the snow. In retaliation, Rickey tossed Tyler’s pet crocodile outside as well. According to reports, Rickey was intoxicated during the argument and left the scene with his 2-year-old child before calling the police to report his brother.
According to WBLT, troopers alleged Rickey was driving under the influence at the time, leading to additional charges of DUI and child endangerment. Due to the freezing temperatures, the pet crocodile could not be saved but the alligator survived after being rescued by troopers.
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Neighbors in the apartment complex were shocked when state troopers arrived and started searching for the missing reptiles. One neighbor, Matt Strickland, described the surreal moment officers knocked on his door. “They asked, ‘Have you seen an alligator run past here?’ I thought they were joking, but they weren’t,” Strickland said to the outlet.Strickland added that he had no idea that his neighbors owned exotic animals despite living next to them for a month.
Both brothers were arraigned on Thursday after police filed charges of animal cruelty and assault.