Remember the guy who chucked a live alligator through the open window of a Wendy’s drive-thru? Of course you do, because who throws alligators? He’s now paying for his self-proclaimed “stupid prank” with a year of probation and an order to stay away from the chain restaurant.

Palm Beach County Judge Barry Cohen also slapped the 24-year-old Florida man with a $500 fine and 75 hours of community service, and denied a defense request to keep the convictions for unlawful possession of alligator or parts and assault off his record, reports the Sun Sentinel.

He came down hard on the man because “this type of thing is not a prank. It’s a crime,” the judge said, calling it one of the most bizarre cases he’s seen in his 25-year career.

“In my view there is absolutely no excuse for taking an animal, particularly an alligator, and throwing it through a window at a total stranger,” the judge told the man.

No one was injured in the October incident, where the customer threw a three-and-a-half-foot live alligator into the restaurant — including the gator, who was released back into the wild by officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Nonetheless, a prosecutor urged the judge to keep the convictions on record, accusing the man of a history of mistreating alligators, saying the incident could have resulted in severe injuries.

The man’s attorney promised that he’s learned his lesson, however, and “he’s going to fly straight” from now on.

As for the gators of the world, let’s hope they aren’t flying anywhere, straight or otherwise.

Judge convicts, punishes man who threw gator into Wendy’s [Sun Sentinel]

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