Phillies turn away emotional support alligator before game against Pirates

The Philadelphia Phillies were hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night in the second game of their final home series of the regular season, and fans could enjoy the game without too much pressure as Philadelphia has already clinched a wild card spot in the National League playoffs.

But one fan was not in attendance: Wally the emotional support alligator.

Wally's owner Joseph Henney of Jonestown, Pennsylvania, brought him to the game to watch the Phillies and Pirates but the two were denied access.

Who is Wally the emotional support alligator?

Henney adopted the 5-foot-long Wally when the alligator was roughly a year old in 2015. He said a friend rescues alligators in Florida and contacted him about a group of alligators in danger due to land development. Henney offered to help and took Wally in. Within a few months, Wally was domesticated like a cat or dog.

“He was a like a little puppy dog,” Henney told the York Daily Record, which is part of the USA TODAY Network, in 2019. “He would follow us around the house.”

Henney's set up Instagram and Tiktok pages for Wally, where he has tens of thousands of followers. He's also visited senior centers and minor league baseball games. Henney entered Wally into the America's Favorite Pet Animal Kingdom contest and visited Philadelphia's LOVE Park to drum up support.

Wally out and about: Park-goers in Philly surprised by the emotional support gator

Why was Wally denied entrance into Citizens Bank Park?

Wally's been in the stands for minor league baseball games. The Phillies have hosted animals at the park this season with "Bark at the Park" night on May 23. So why was he turned back for Wednesday's game?

Simple: ballpark policy. The Citizens Bank Park policy on support animals states: "Certified service dogs or service dogs in training for guests with special needs are welcome. All other animals are prohibited."

Though the stadium turned him away, Wally generated another wave of interest online thanks to the game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Phillies deny emotional support alligator Wally entrance to game