[duffysmom]

While driving my cart past the pond near the 1st hole of Riley Grove (Palmer) I saw a large alligator on the bank of the pond. A cart was pulled up to the fence and evidentially a man with a small child (maybe 6 yrs old) had climbed over the fence and was walking toward the alligator. Having lived in Florida for many years I know what an alligator can do and I didn't want to scream at him and startle the gator so I took off not wanting to witness what could be a disaster. I feel terrible about leaving but other than tackle the guy what could I do..... I'm not proud of myself.

[faithfulfrank]

I feel sorry for the little boy.
The police should have been called....I would guess climbing that fence is against the law.

The guy? Well, you can't fix stupid. If gators eat the dumb ones, the whole boat floats higher and the gene pool is a bit healthier.

[mike barkley]

not to worry....whens the last time you heard of a gator attacking a man on land. im sure he ran away as soon as he saw the man approaching. now in the water it may be another thing!

[Russ_Boston]

Granted the alligator isn't going to attack this guy but let's admit it is still a stupid thing to do with a young kid. That kid could bolt and then who knows how the alligator will react.

[Allen]

Living in Tampa years ago there were two separate attacks that I recall right after we moved there. Both close to (but not in the water). One child, and one dog. Both were killed. Don't even get near gators... no matter where they are.

[redwitch]

We supposedly lost the bison because of this type of stupidity and they only bumped a child. I hate to imagine what would happen if a gator was startled and bit the child. I truly hate stupidity like that. I'd definitely be on the phone to 911 and praying nothing happened before idiot and child left the area.

Wonder if the dum-dum knows gators can run over 35 mph on land? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!!!!! And I know this and I'm not even from Florida (California ain't got no steekin gators.)

[bkcunningham1]

I thought we lost the bison because of the introduction of the horse by the Spaniards and over hunting for hides and meat. So much for my history books.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. The gator thing is dangerous. But duffysmom, IMHO you didn't do anything wrong. It was the man who climbed the fence. If I had a nickle (buffalo would be better) for everytime I've bitten my tongue when I've seen people doing something stupid, I'd have alot of nickles

[Talk Host]

I could not have left the scene without intervening. I can't imagine how I would have felt if later I learned that the child had been killed.

[smsgtdaves]

I'm from Pennsylvania and I don't know too much about gaters other then they have big teeth and should not stick your head in their mouth. Aren't they like most animals up here, they stay away from you if you don't bother them. They don't come up out of the water and attack you do they?

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by smsgtdaves

I'm from Pennsylvania and I don't know too much about gaters other then they have big teeth and should not stick your head in their mouth. Aren't they like most animals up here, they stay away from you if you don't bother them. They don't come up out of the water and attack you do they?

I would never go near a gator under any circumstances. If they have young babies near-by, they will attack. Trust me.

[redwitch]

ANY animal will attack when threatened. Gators have been known to attack just cause they can (rarely, but), not just because they're threatened or hungry. I certainly wouldn't take the chance and I most certainly would not put a child in danger.

[salpal]

Maybe when you buy in TV you have to sign a document with common sense rules. We cannot assume everyone has common sense. What an idiot grandparent, the same kind that allows grandkids to drive golf carts. Did their brains retire too?

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I could not have left the scene without intervening. I can't imagine how I would have felt if later I learned that the child had been killed.

Intervening in what way, TH? Duffysmom has a point that creating any disturbance could have scared the alligator into attack. Calling 911, as some posters have stated, is a good suggestion. What else might be done in such circumstance, without making it worse?

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Intervening in what way, TH? Duffysmom has a point that creating any disturbance could have scared the alligator into attack. Calling 911, as some posters have stated, is a good suggestion. What else might be done in such circumstance, without making it worse?

I'm not suggesting a "disturbance." I would have been inclined to say, "you can do what you want, but alligators are very dangerous animals. Are you sure you want to get your child that close?"

[duffysmom]

TH, when I saw the man and child they were too far away from me to talk to them without shouting, loudly. I considered calling 911 but by the time they responded it would be a done deal. If I could do it all over again, I would call 911 with the hope that if they survived he would be ticketed for tresspassing since they had to walk across several people's properties to get the the gator. Fortunately nothing serious happened or we would have heard. I'm not proud of myself and hope that in future situations I would be braver. Maybe I need to take some alligator wrestling classes.