Posted on 04/13/2026 10:22:38 AM PDT by nickcarraway
"Unfortunately, this young man is going to learn a very expensive lesson," Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said,
NEED TO KNOW
-A 14-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly swinging and kicking a baby alligator at the Stetson Aquatic Center in Florida
-The teen was booked into the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Resource Center and faces a felony charge for harming wildlife
-Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said, "Abusing wildlife is not a way to spend your downtime"
-Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) deputies allegedly found a 14-year-old boy abusing a baby alligator in DeLand, Fla. on Friday, April 3.
The teen was with a group at the Stetson Aquatic Center, hanging out by the docks. He was then seen swinging the animal by its tail over his head, kicking it and kicking dirt onto it, as a Stetson University public safety officer watched it happen live on security camera footage.
The public safety officer reported it to the VSO deputies, ClickOrlando reports. During the alleged incident, another child took photos, while the other teens were fishing, they told VSO deputies, Fox 35 reports. Additionally, the boy placed the alligator back in the water, but when more children came over, he took the animal out again.
Upon their arrival at the Stetson Aquatic Center, the teen was arrested for allegedly possessing or harming an alligator without approval from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, a level 4 felony, according to the arrest affidavit, Fox 35 reports. The 14-year-old was booked into the VSO Juvenile Resource Center, according to ABC 4.
All of the remaining children were trespassing on the facility, but are not being charged. Their parents and guardians have been contacted.
VSO Sheriff Mike Chitwood condemned the child's crime, saying, "Obviously, abusing wildlife is not a way to spend your downtime, you know,
(Excerpt) Read more at people.com ...
Here in TN that kind of thing is illegal, especially with snakes. Doesn’t bother me; ones in my yard are also protected by me. They eat all sorts of destructive vermin. OMG!! Better than I thought; that list would include Mudsimes and DemonRats.
The skeeters with provide the punishment and he will learn something and be useful.
In fact....the attention might enhance any future desires to kill.
Their skin actually feels unexpectedly very soft and supple.
Tough, but as soft as a suede jacket.
And this one is just a baby so the skin isn’t as thick as the ones I have handled.
It is always good to catch kids early when they have mental problems and beating up on baby animals is definitely a mental problem and possible indicator he may be getting similarly abused at home.
No doubt. But they are not impervious to pain or injury (especially a young one) and it doesn't excuse cruel behavior. YMMD.
Oh well, better he learns his lesson at 14 than 24.
He will be charged as a juvenile which is not a matter of public record. And he will probably be given some type of diversion program which results in the charges being dismissed.
Sometimes, that diversion program is the right thing to do.
Many of us have done stupid, even cruel things as a youth.
That doesn’t have to shape the rest of your life.
**In a very different context; Jesus himself said to someone asking for forgiveness:
“Go forth and Sin no more!”
New Testament; John 8;11
NEED TO KNOW
-A 14-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly swinging and kicking a baby alligator at the Stetson Aquatic Center in Florida. One of the more unusual things I’ve read today.
That's for another thread. This one is about animal cruelty.......
I agree 100%. And this is probably one of those cases unless the kid has prior offenses.
Yeah, but it seems it’s bad for this kid and I was just relating the inconsistency of animal vs human cruelty.
And what, precisely, is so damn "unfortunate" about that??
So we do what? Don’t punish him and hope he turns around?
It simply does not belong in the news.
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