A Philadelphia Phillies fan and his emotional aid alligator Wally have been denied access into Wednesday’s recreation towards the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The fan, recognized through the Philadelphia Inquirer as Joie Henney, arrived at Voters Depot Terrain strolling Wally on a leash, claiming the just about five-foot alligator as his carrier animal.

The stadium’s coverage on aid animals at the Phillies authentic web site states: “Certified service dogs or service dogs in training for guests with special needs are welcome. All other animals are prohibited.”

Pictures and movies posted to social media appearing Henney outdoor the stadium with Wally went viral Wednesday evening.

Accounts related to Wally have a rising following on social media; the Instagram account “@wallygatornjoie” had just about 26,000 fans as of Thursday morning, occasion the TikTok account “wallythealligator” had over 100,000 fans.

Wally’s denied access drew comparisons to the well-known “Curse of the Billy Goat” involving the Chicago Cubs. In 1945, William Sianis put a curse at the Cubs when he and his goat have been denied access right into a International Sequence recreation at Wrigley Garden.

Outraged at no longer having the ability to oversee his loved Cubs, Sianis positioned the curse at the crew, pronouncing they’d by no means once more win a International Sequence.

Chicago would no longer play games in any other International Sequence for 71 years, however the curse after all damaged in 2016 when the Cubs celebrated their first championship in 108 years.

Data from Reuters used to be worn on this file.