Emotional support animals are a common sight out in public these days, but a Pennsylvania man's reptilian companion caught some Walmart shoppers off guard.

Wesley Silva got his pet alligator, Jinseioshi, four years ago as a gift from a neighbor. When the neighbor wasn't able to take car of Jinseioshi, Silva jumped at the opportunity.

"I didn't think I would actually own an alligator, ever," Silva told NBC affiliate WPXI . "It's been really kind of incredible."

Silva says Jinseioshi is registered as an emotional support animal. He has taken his sweater-wearing alligator all over the place, including restaurants, and says that she always receives a warm welcome.

That changed two weeks ago, when shoppers at a West Brownsville Walmart reached out to WPXI about an alligator in the sto

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