Fox news is running with it. Journalistic sensationalism=no journalistic responsibility to the public for the facts. This happens on every network, not just Fox. Something must be done about the gator attacks.....right now! Result=folks killing gators (against Florida State Law without a permit by the way). The perceived panic is unfounded by the numbers.

[url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,195447,00.html:bfdd9]Gators Kill 3 in a Week[/url:bfdd9]

If the article is carefully read,

Suarez's death was the 18th confirmed fatal alligator attack in Florida since 1948.
By the numbers, not that drastic of a crisis considering how many people are either moving into or are already in Florida. More folks living with gators=more confrontations. I would probably have a better chance of getting hit by a car while crossing the street or getting killed by a doctor's botched medical surgery than getting bit by a gator. By the numbers.

"There are some things that can cause alligators to associate people with feeding opportunities," Morse said.
The signs say "Don't feed the Bears" up north and out west. Same here in the south. Don't feed the gators and don't feed the bears. Maybe the FWC should invest in posting signs on all waters since most folks seem to be ignorant of the state laws (ignorance of the law is no excuse). Both in the north and the south, feeding these animals is against the law because it kills people. Bottomline.

The article fails to mention if the gators were being fed but its a good bet.

Didn't that TV commercial where the guy throws the fish to the bear in the road get to you? It was not at all funny to me. Talk about teaching folks to break the law.

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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL

"Flip a fly"

[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 15 May 2006).]