# Gator bites man's head... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 28, 2002, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996 "2002-08-28T22:02:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/1 "2002-08-28T22:02:03Z")
but the man [still got away](http://www.sptimes.com/2002/08/28/TampaBay/Alligator_s_jaws_clos.shtml)! > [@](#): > > … > The gator chomped down on Dotson’s head, severely damaging the right side of his face and severing his ear. > > Somehow, Dotson managed to remove his head from the gator’s jaws, break free and swim to shore. Dotson climbed up the bank and hiked through a patch of woods, en route to his home. > … :eek: ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/2 "2002-08-28T22:41:25Z")
I automatically thought, “I didn’t know University of Florida fans were that vicious!?!” ::D&R:: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/3 "2002-08-28T23:40:04Z")
The newspaper story bothered to note: “There were no warning signs posted” WTF? You’re swimming in a wild river in central Florida, after dark, with dogs (AKA alligator ice cream) and you need a warning sign? This guy is a prime candidate for the “Darwin Awards”. The fates have been very kind, or he wouldn’t have lived as long as he has. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/4 "2002-08-29T00:30:33Z")
I’m having a pretty stupid day. Case in point: Reading the OP, I clicked on the link expecting to see news photos of a guy with a gator biting his head. I was disappointed to see him just sitting there looking into the camera. Sometimes I wonder about myself… ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/5 "2002-08-29T01:19:13Z")
**White Lightning** - the guy in the photo is actually one of the rescuers, not the victim himself (the guy in the photo is not 69 years old). Anyone else singing [“Rippy the Gator”](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/SongUnid/8E201B493E88378048256B2600275302) ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/6 "2002-08-29T03:21:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by White Lightning \* > \*\*I’m having a pretty stupid day. > > Case in point: Reading the OP, I clicked on the link expecting to see news photos of a guy with a gator biting his head. I was disappointed to see him just sitting there looking into the camera. > Sometimes I wonder about myself… \*\* The Trib didn’t run it on the front page like the times, but [here’s their version of the story](http://news.tbo.com/). There’s has a picture of an alligator, although it doesn’t really say that it was “the” alligator. Could just be a file photo. In case that link doesn’t work try [here](http://news.tbo.com/news/MGAQG98MF5D.html). ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/7 "2002-08-29T12:16:59Z")
Well, no picture today, but [here’s a description](http://www.sptimes.com/2002/08/29/TampaBay/Nephew_describes_gato.shtml): **Warning! This is a bit gruesome. Not for the squeamish** > [@](#): > > “If you can only see the damage, you would be amazed he survived,” Caveness said during a news conference Wednesday at Tampa General Hospital, where Dotson is listed in fair condition. > > The wound is “massive,” running from the top of his uncle’s head down to his neck, Caveness said. > > Dotson can’t close his right eye. His eyelid and eyebrow are almost all gone. When his uncle rolled out of the gator’s mouth, Caveness said, much of the skin apparently ripped. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/8 "2002-08-29T12:31:08Z")
They said that since 1948 there have been 318 alligator attacks on humans. So your odds of getting chomped are pretty slim. But even if the guy thought that HE was safe, any idiot who lives in Florida has to know that dogs are like alligators’ favorite food! How many zillions of dogs are eaten by gators every year? So what kind of sub-idiot do you have to be to take your DOGS swimming in a river that you have SEEN huge alligators in? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/9 "2002-08-29T12:42:22Z")
That’s one hell of a 69 year old man, to get out of the grip of a fucking allegator alive! I only HOPE I’m that well off when I’m his age. And people think getting stung by a bee is a suprise bit o’ pain. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/10 "2002-08-29T12:44:18Z")
\ The bf has a cabin on the river bank here. From the living room windows, I can see gators sunning themselves on the bank. When I’m on the deck and the gators are sunning, I see them looking at me. I’m sure they’re thinking…hmm…which would be better hickory smoked or honey bbq sauce? That being said… **anybody** who lives anywhere near gators knows that dogs are like gator crack. Gators can’t get enough. I’m glad it appears the guy’s gonna be ok…but what a complete fool he is! It’s just stupid to go swimming in a gator infested river, but to bring along the favorite snack of gators to boot? Geez! ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/11 "2002-08-29T14:14:44Z")
I’m sure he’ll getting a Darwin award, just not from this particular escapade. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/12 "2002-08-29T14:33:47Z")
If you read the link I posted today, you’ll note that this guys nephew survived a gunshot to the face. They’re certainly from hardy stock, but you got to wonder how they get into these situations. Also the man who got bit said he’d been swimming there for 15 years previously. ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/13 "2002-08-29T14:36:59Z")
LOL Judging by how people are saying the gators like to eat dogs, I wouldn’t be surprised if the man kept them near him in hopes that they would go after the dogs first giving him enough advanced warning to escape. “Here stupid alligator eat little Fido. ARGH! Not me! The Dog!!! Stupid Stupid Gator!” ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/14 "2002-08-29T14:42:29Z")
**dorkusmalorkusmafia** humans are gator appetizers. Dogs are gator main courses. I’m not clear on gator desserts, however. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/15 "2002-08-29T14:55:21Z")
There’s a helpful sign informing us not to feed the 'gators in a lake between the building I work at and the building with the cafeteria, that mentions the fine (500 bucks, I think). Visitors always get a kick out that sign. I’ve seen gators in some of the other lakes in the business complex (which happens to be the same business complex where [the National Enquirer building](http://community.webshots.com/album/23312001wgwvLwKuGH) was infected by Anthrax last year) but never in that lake. Some big friggin’ turtles are there, so I suppose it’s gator-free. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/16 "2002-08-29T15:29:27Z")
The gator was trying to get some brain food. Looks like it chose the wrong fella. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/17 "2002-08-29T23:10:07Z")
I’m with Jack Carter and Opal. This guy is an idiot! Why the gator _didn’t_ go after the dogs is beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/18 "2002-08-30T03:38:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*El Elvis Rojo \*\*\* > That’s one hell of a 69 year old man, to get out of the grip of a fucking allegator alive! I only HOPE I’m that well off when I’m his age. Screw that, I’d rather just hang it up. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/19 "2002-08-30T04:31:52Z")
People canoe in gator rich waters, capsise their canoes and manage to survive–I’ve done it myself. People sit on the banks of gator rich waters while fishing and are not attacked. People fall off of water skis in gator rich waters and are not attacked. The presence of alligators does not mean that a probability of attack exists. People live and vacation in Florida and think nothing of swimming in the Gulf, or in the Atlantic. Two places where sharks are known to proliferate. Are those people stupid? You guys are being way too hard on the attack victim, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996/20 "2002-08-30T04:51:28Z")
Bullshit, the gator was looking for some yummy dog-meat and got a mouthful of nastyass tastin’, hardheaded, 69 yr/old man…isn’t it obvious, the gator spit him out. He damned sure didn’t outswim it! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gator-bites-mans-head/125996.md?page=2)