A 65-year-old Pinellas County man was charged with animal cruelty after witnesses reported seeing him beating a 3-foot alligator after baiting it out of a local pond.
When questioned by authorities, the man admitted using fishing line and raw chicken to draw the gator out of the water and subsequently beating the animal. Witnesses say the the gator survived, and was seen swimming away.
The man said he was trying to do a public service and protect the neighborhood by abusing an animal about the size and weight of your average fully grown standard dachshund. Thanks, Florida Man. We'll all sleep safer tonight.
This article appears in Oct 25 – Nov 1, 2018.