KrokadilyanGuy3
05-13-04, 12:29 AM
THE STATE (Columbia, S Carolina) 05 May 04 Young golfer reports gator abuse
Mount Pleasant, S.C. (AP): A teen participating in a golf tournament put aside his clubs and alerted authorities when he saw other players striking alligators with golf clubs.
"There was no way I was going to keep my mind on golf," said Jordan Kruse, 15. "It was so sick. No one should ever do that to an animal."
Kruse was competing last week for Trident Academy in the South Carolina Independent School Association state tournament at Fripp Island resort's Ocean Point course.
The teen saw two players from other schools approach a 6-foot alligator lounging on the bank of a pond. Kruse said one grabbed its tail and the other grabbed a 3-iron, smacking the reptile in the head so hard that it bent the club. The alligator fled into the water.
The players also approached a group of the reptiles and smacked the head of a small alligator in the water.
Kruse left the course and went for help. The state Department of Natural Resources sent an officer to investigate.
Efforts to capture the 6-foot alligator and check him for injuries were unsuccessful. The smaller alligator hasn't been found.
Charges had not been filed as of Wednesday. The maximum penalty for harassing the protected species is $500 and six months in jail.
TheState (hhttp://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/breaking_news/8597038.htm)
Mount Pleasant, S.C. (AP): A teen participating in a golf tournament put aside his clubs and alerted authorities when he saw other players striking alligators with golf clubs.
"There was no way I was going to keep my mind on golf," said Jordan Kruse, 15. "It was so sick. No one should ever do that to an animal."
Kruse was competing last week for Trident Academy in the South Carolina Independent School Association state tournament at Fripp Island resort's Ocean Point course.
The teen saw two players from other schools approach a 6-foot alligator lounging on the bank of a pond. Kruse said one grabbed its tail and the other grabbed a 3-iron, smacking the reptile in the head so hard that it bent the club. The alligator fled into the water.
The players also approached a group of the reptiles and smacked the head of a small alligator in the water.
Kruse left the course and went for help. The state Department of Natural Resources sent an officer to investigate.
Efforts to capture the 6-foot alligator and check him for injuries were unsuccessful. The smaller alligator hasn't been found.
Charges had not been filed as of Wednesday. The maximum penalty for harassing the protected species is $500 and six months in jail.
TheState (hhttp://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/breaking_news/8597038.htm)