Grieving Florida dog owner warns of crocs

upi ^ | July 16, 2010

[mnehring]

All of them- crocks and gators. Worthless. Completely worthless.

Not true. Among other things they help keep the dog population down.

They are also tasty. Alligator sausage is one of those wonderful Cajun treats that Yankees will never understand.

[GladesGuru]

Based on my experience the statement is valid.

For example, I tied up to a 2X4 a 5’ gator when I first moved to the ‘Glades and he stuck his head out from under the steps - sort of saying to me, “rope me”. And, I did.

Brer Gator found hissef tied to the 2X4 and then tenderized with a 1X2, applied with the wide side to Mr. Gator. I was careful not to break any of the subdermal plates, hit joints, eyes, etc.

When the treatment was applied for the second time, Brer gator realized that while I walked like no gator he ever saw, I was the dominant critter.

Was the lesson retained? To this day, I can only walk within about 30 feet of any gator in my area. Here, gators watch each other and when one flees, so do the rest. Even though they are mostly getting through life on brain stem activity, they can, and have learned.

Sheer dominance, best demonstrated with gunpowder, works wonders at improving beastly behavior.

[Hillbillary]

A Florida woman whose dog was killed by a crocodile is urging the city of Coral Gables to put up warning signs for other pet owners along the canals.

I sure would hate to tell her there are probably pythons in there too.

[Jean S]

Nice looking dogs blam!

[TeachableMoment]

Remind me not to go to FL unarmed! Them things look scary.

[Joe 6-pack]

"If they decided to start shooting these things with say a .22 at close range, would the neighbors report them?"

After the ricochets hit their houses...

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Lot's of Crocs around the nuke power plant at Turkey Point, could be some further North.

I am sorry for the lady but dammit, how can people move into a place and stay so absolutely ignorant about it? They stumble around with their heads in the clouds, or somewhere darker.

I could take my Maglite, go out right now, and with little effort find something that could bite me and hurt me. It's just part of Florida living.

[wardaddy]

former resident on Sorolla ave in 89-91

[SWAMPSNIPER]

The wading birds seek out gator wallows and nest over them. The gators keep the climbing predators away from the nests .Without the gators we would see greatly reduced bird populations.

People are just supposed to have enough damned common sense to be aware of their surroundings or stay the hell indoors.

[IrishCatholic]

Thanks, I've visited Florida only twice. The first time in high school and the second much later. The first time was for the beaches. The second was Crystal River to swim with the manatees. I knew about the alligators, but didn't know there were that many crocs. I thought they were on the endangered species list.
Are they near the plant for some reason? Warmer waters?

[SWAMPSNIPER]

The cooling canals are loaded with crocs, and there are miles of them. I’ve never heard of a croc this far north but it’s possible.

[blam]

"Nice looking dogs blam!"

Thanks Jean.

One of the differences between my ex-wife and my dogs is that the later I come home at night, the happier my dogs are to see me.

(ahem)

[Vinnie]

Interesting info about Turkey Point and crocs.
I used to sail Whitewater Sound, go out to Nest Key for the night. Sailed around Cape Sable area. Saw white pelicans on a couple occasions but never a croc.

I used to see manatees in Black Creek near the Bay.
All this prior to 1984 when I moved to NC.