Emotional support alligator is no longer welcome in Pennsylvania Walmart

(NBC) - A western Pennsylvania man and his emotional support alligator took a shopping cart spin around the local Walmart, where he claims they've never had a problem — but this recent trip earned them orders to stay away, the retail giant confirmed Thursday.

Wesley Silva, 60, and his 5-foot-long, 32-pound reptile named Jinseioshi made the local news after a trip to a Walmart in West Brownsville, where he pushed the alligator around in a shopping cart as she was wearing a dress.

Before concerns about the recent visit were raised, Silva insisted he and Jinseioshi experienced nothing but praise.

"We have been going to that Walmart for about 3½ years, and normally the reaction is 'That's pretty cool' or 'That is awesome that you have a pet alligator, man!'" Silva told NBC News on Thursday.

A Walmart spokesperson, though, was far less effusive and said Jinseioshi and any other gators aren’t welcome inside the stores.

“The safety of our customers and associates is our highest priority,” Walmart said. “We welcome service animals in our stores, but it is unacceptable to expose members of the public to potential danger.”

Silva said he got the alligator from a neighbor who couldn't care for it anymore and gave it to him.

Now Jinseioshi spends much of her days in a pool outside and nights in a bathtub of water.

Before Jinseioshi arrived, Silva already had a zoo's worth of reptiles in his animal family, including six snakes, a leopard gecko, a Komodo dragon, an ocellated skink and a second alligator. He also has a dog.

Silva, a pastor at a Baptist church and a Brethren church, stopped just short of calling his worship of reptiles a holy act.

"In the Bible, God talks about us having dominion over animals, and I developed an affinity for the reptiles," said Silva, the father of five children. "I find them very soothing."

The reptile collection started three years ago when a daughter wanted a snake.

"I held it one night and I just kind of started really bonding with it and holding it," he said. "And finally, she gave me an ultimatum, 'Dad, really, you need to get your own snake.'

This story first appeared on NBC News.