I just heard on the news how a Florida sight-seeing swamp boat operator is being fined by the authorities for getting his hand bitten off by an alligator. The tone of voice was indignation about how “insult was being added to injury” to this poor victim.

Actually, I hope they throw the book at this guy. He was trying to give tourists riding on his airboat an exciting show (which means bigger tips) by hand-feeding the reptile. But this isn’t just between him and the gator. Alligators can be dangerous animals, but they are normally very scared of people (they became almost extinct from hunting until conservation regulations were enforced), even the big ones usually head for the safety of deep water when a human approaches.

Feeding gators allows them to become familiar with people, and associate us with food. This makes them a danger to people (particularly children and mobility-impaired seniors)and pets. Gator attacks have been on the rise lately, and although this is mostly due to human and gator populations growing, and overlapping into the same space, we don’t need to add to the problem. People get killed or maimed, and the gator usually gets shot.

Like I said, I hope they throw the book at the guy.