Those friendly giants let you bum a ride, and then, before you know it, you're slapped with criminal charges.
At least that's what might happen to one Florida woman, who was photographed by beachgoers as she caught a lift from a manatee in Fort De Soto Park, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is now trying to identify the woman, who they say may be in violation of the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act, according to a news release from the PCSO website. The legislation makes it a misdemeanor to "annoy, molest, harass, or disturb or attempt to molest, harass, or disturb any Manatee” whether "intentionally or negligently."
UPDATE: The woman in the photos has identified herself to police as Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez, 52, of St. Petersburg, Fla., the Sun Sentinel reports. She allegedly admitted to riding the manatee, and said she did not realize that doing so was illegal.
Officials determined that the crime was not an arrestable offense because it did not occur in the deputy's presence.
The manatee is believed to have not been harmed.
See More Photos Of The Manatee Ride: (story continues below)
Post a Comment