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Man Loses Hand to Alligator; Charged with Feeding Alligators

Despite the title of nearly every piece about this incident (including mine above), Wallace Weatherholt of Florida was not charged with feeding alligators because the alligator ate his hand.  Rather, he was charged because just a moment before the alligator ate his hand, Weatherholt was allegedly dangling a fish over the side of his tour boat in order to entice the alligator to come closer, and such actions are illegal in Florida.  Weatherholt was charged with a misdemeanor and released on bond, and is due back in court in several weeks.

The alligator was found and euthanized, and Weatherholt's hand was retrieved, though it could not be reattached.

Lowering the Bar

ABC News

Los Angeles Times