Friday, May 12, 2006

Hard Core Gardening Granny

This story from the AP:

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (May 11) - When a 5-foot alligator sank its teeth into her ankle, Connie Gittles fought back with a garden hose.

"I just whacked him right in the snout with the nozzle," the 74-year-old retiree said of the Tuesday morning attack. "After that, he took off."

Even though one of the three puncture wounds on her ankle went to the bone, Gittles finished her gardening before seeking medial attention.

"I'm a farmer's daughter from way back, so when I start a chore ... I finish it," Gittles said.

Wildlife trappers caught and killed an alligator whose teeth matched the bite marks on Gittles' ankle. State wildlife officials praised the retiree's reaction.

"She was spunky," said Jo Anne Adams, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "Beating him in the nose was a good thing."

Wildlife officials say alligators are more prone to wander during mating season, which peaks in May. Alligators who have been fed by humans are also more bold.

Adams said Gittles was lucky to escape.

"He could have grabbed her leg, pulled her down and killed her," Adams said.


To which I can only say, DAMN!

2 comments:

Tom said...

I don't think I could say DAMN! any louder.

Liam said...

Funny that this story should come out at the same time: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/48203