Ha!!

Oh you get my upvote, yes you do. Bravo!

The dumbest of dumb animals ( the manatee not the stupid woman)

Which one is the cow.

I didn't get it right away, but I get it now.

For those also stuck, think Hindenburg.

Very witty.

Take a breather Maureen. It's not anywhere near as serious as you say.

Go talk to the thousands of LOCAL recreational boaters who accidentally kill or maim manatees every single day. That's the real threat. Bark at them, not at us.

The humorous reaction you are too wound up to understand is a statement about law enforcement and their priorities. Clearly, this woman is not a criminal. And she did FAR less damage than the average boater, who never even saw the manatee they killed while joy riding up and down the Indian River or along the coast. How many manatee pups are orphaned by boaters? And how many by dumb tourists? Put it in REAL perspective, because you apparently have lost perspective.

I guarantee you that if the manatee no longer enjoyed the attention, it would have swam away. Ms. Gutierrez was not holding the manatee down. The manatee was holding her up.

With the vitriol you spewed toward this woman... all the name calling you did....without knowing a single thing about her. Ashamed of the human race indeed....

What a bunch of insensitive dumbasses here. Are you all in the 7th grade?

Take a chill pill Maureen!. Don't let your issues get the best of you.

Maureen, you should consider yoga. Seriously, chill.

Maureen, for all we know that manatee might have thoroughly enjoyed giving the ride.

Also, you could try to have a little more respect for that "fat bitch" while you spout your angry drivel. She did turn herself in and I believe her when she says she didn't know it was a crime. I didn't. Also, on what basis do you make the claim you know more than "most anyone" on this board about manatees? Are you a marine biologist?

In fact, you're stupid, and likely the most ignorant person involved in this discussion. Seeing how personally you take it, I can only conclude that you are, in fact, a manatee yourself.

Maureen... please explain why EVERYONE thinks you are WAY over reacting. Clearly, it takes very little stimulus to get your ire up. You should stop reading these comments. First off, you're way too smart for us and secondly, we all care so much about you that none of us want to see you this upset.

The accusation that this woman was somehow "drowning" a 1000 pound sea mammal is absurd. That manatee could have swam out from under her in it's sleep with both fins tied behind it's back.

Guess SHE was a manatee in a past life.

Hey Maureen. SHUT THE HELL UP. Why the hell are you the only one getting worked up? Anger management much? The woman would have felt like a bug on that things back!! You say you know so much about manatees but you can't figure that out?? Ive been on here a lot but you may take the cake as the most idiotic commenter on here. You must be trying to start crap with people on purpose

Yippee yi yo ki ye, did she make it to the bell?

I don't see anyone sticking up for dolphins or whales. It's ok to capture and torment them!

wow - someone needs a little anger management...holy sea cow...

The real issue is that there are no signs on many of the beaches where Manatees are and much as one would like to think everyone should know not to do that, many don't. The good from this is that now what many may not have known, they now know. I would suggest signs in all parks just to reaffirm clearly for tourists and residents alike. Part of the problem is there are tourist sites that allow swimmers to swim with dolphins and I think it impacts how some view even the wild sea creatures.

good god, get your panties out of a bunch. It's just a stupid manatee, and she didn't hurt it. You'd think our legal system would have more important stuff to deal with.

You'd think our legal system would have more important stuff to deal with.

They do Spencer, which is why they declined to arrest or charge Ms. Gutierrez.

This really is a non-story on a slow news day.

Maureen: We get it. you love the animals but.....

for black people....not so much.....per your quotes on NBCNews.com

Tue Sep 4, 2012

• Michelle Obama is so incredibly ugly, it hurts to look at her.

Thu Sep 13, 2012

• Most blacks would keep it since they are already used to taking and keeping money that they did not earn. Can you say "welfare?" Yes, this is a racist remark, but it is also true. …

Grizzly mauls hiker to death at Denali National Park; bear shot........

Sat Aug 25, 2012

• Damn man had no business hiking there or alone or without some sort of protection. He got what he deserved. The bear did not.
• Dammit, it's Alaska. That's where grizzlies live. There is nowhere up in Alaska that is entirely safe from predators. Know that when you visit and especially if you live there. I l …

Apr 11, 2012

"I think Treyvon knew exactly what he was doing when he walked through that neighborhood at night, wearing a hoodie. He was a troublemaker, had already been suspended from school, so he just figured he'd try and spook some white folks...he wasn't counting on an armed man meeting him, but the kid got what he deserved"

Florida's white trash at its' finest!

First off...I am shocked that that is a woman on that manatee! Seriously, it looks like it has a mustache and what in God's name is that thing doing wearing a two-piece?!?

If it were more clearly a human on the manatee I would be more upset, but since you can't really tell...

Maureen, do us all a favor and sell your computer/tablet/smart phone that you type your bigoted vile with and we will all be better off.

And take a quualude or something. You seriously need to chill here.

Thank you TB-Texas for the info on maureen's other comments. I can't say I'm surprised.

Well played TB-Texas, well played! Hilarious!

Maureen, I rode two dolphins while I was overseas, this is quite common in other countries. Your ignorance simply astounds me. So get out of that closed minded shell and smell the foreign culture and get a clue!!!

Do any of you boobs have a clue what a manatee even is?

huh huh huh.... boobs...

I'll bet my life that Maureen is still reading these comments even though she said she has to stop reading them. The Manatee wannabe is now fighting the urge to reply. It's killing her! Go ahead, Maureen. Give in to your urge.

"Have you ever been a manatee?"

This has got to be my favorite question of the day.

Moron... er Maureen is getting a few votes. But none of the voters are stepping up to defend her...

It's hard to defend crazy, I guess.

Wow! Here's some internet bullying for you! And you wonder why kids are so mean. They learn it from their parents. Grow up!

The only way I was able to tell her from the Manatee was the red bathing suit she was wearing!

Freedomofspeechrules, but it's freedom of speech. If someone doesn't like it, they can stop reading the comments. No one's life was threatened nor was anyone planning to attack someone after class... NOR DO ANY OF US KNOW THE OTHER PERSONALLY. Much different than kids bullying kids they know on facebook. Maureen asked for it, if she can't take it, she shouldn't have started it. It was she who launched the attack on other commenters, not the other way around.

It was very sad reading some of these mean comments about someone's mistake. In this Internet world it shows that an offense can be used to allow for some to act out even more offensively.

I live in Florida and want everyone to become aware of not messing with wild creatures and in particular the Manatees but even with that, there is no way for me to condone the kind of insults I have read directed at an older woman who made a mistake.

This Internet cruelty is near unforgivable.

That said, learn the rules related to any area you live in or visit where protected creatures are located. It is important.

TB - Texas...great post...you are the man!!!

My better half & I use to go to Blue Springs in Florida to watch the Manatees. They are called "gentle giants" and are some of the most docile, harmless creatures on this planet. And Harold is right-it's the propellers on boats that kill them. I had one bump into me when we were swimming at Coco beach and I thought it was a shark at first....my husband bout drowned he was laughing so hard......

Phil-1026522

The dumbest of dumb animals ( the manatee not the stupid woman)

Hey Phil when's the last time anyone called you Eistein? Dumbo.

Humans ARE the dumbest animals.

Norcal2,Your last sentence said all that needed to be said. You are hereby awarded today's Mr.Smartmind Award....that is unless of course you happen to be a woman.

"Have you ever been a manatee?"

Gosh, how stoopid! It should read "Have you ever been to a manatee". Everyone knows that a manatee is an afternoon movie. You internet peeps are so dumb.

I find it sad that no one said any thing to the person before she even tried to do this to the . i'm quite sure Mantee it did not like it either. I find all the remarks discussing. I'm sure she has learned a hard lesson from the fines she will get. But the lashing out that I see lots of-here I do not condone this at all. Morons and to the dolphin rider too no different I just bet they loved that too with you on there back. Grow up!!! I also do not find the commercial the funniest home movies on TV were some one is on a Ostrichs back, I'm glad I am not close by when that one took place for there would have been a fight for real. For I would have tried my best to snatch that person off of it. They are not to ridden stupid people. Have the mind of a card board box.

I live in southwest Florida, and I had an experience with a manatee where IT was harassing ME! I kept wading away from it, and it kept swimming right up to me and trying to rub against me. This went on for 15 minutes before I finally had to get out of the water. Apparently they can be very playful when they want to be. I also don't doubt for a minute that the manatee could have swam away from that woman without a problem. You don't realize how HUGE these things are until you see one next to you in the water. They are the size of a car, and can weigh up to 3500 pounds!

Seems we have a rabid dog here(maureen). We should call animal control before she bites someone.

Shiftlock that can happen. I live here too. That is a cute story. Don't know if you read about it but one of the Manatee in Sarasota that had turned into a beggar getting his food from boaters died a week or so ago. They found he had many old boat wounds and the wrong food in his tummy and had relied on boaters which kept him in danger. They thought he stopped getting food for himself and relied on boats to feed him. Kind of sad. I guess all we can take from it is it is also best not to feed them either.

So she didn't know she was doing anything wrong. She turned herself in which was the right thing to do and nobody got hurt. So give her a break- fine her $250 and give her a warning & let it go. No need for 60 days in jail already- c'mon!

Dolphins are social creatures Songbird. They are used for therapy as well. They LOVE the attention. I have a friend who was lucky enough to have a home on the coast of Hawaii and they have wild dolphins that come in and play with people. They come up beneath you and TAKE you for a ride. I had never seen such a thing in all my life. It was a blast.

DANG !!! that was some fat sea cow on that poor manatee's back,its lucky it didn't drown !!!

Catxmandeux....your comment was so funny...I am still laughing :) and yes Moron needs to take a chill pill...if she is so worried about about the Manatee then she should Get off the internet..Sut her big fat yapper and actually go do some kind of volunteer work that has to do with them.....and by her other comments she seems like a miserable person living a miserable life.

ProFreedom-5130956

So she didn't know she was doing anything wrong. She turned herself in which was the right thing to do and nobody got hurt. So give her a break- fine her $250 and give her a warning & let it go. No need for 60 days in jail already- c'mon!

Because, along with that - looking at the woman from the picture - think how much it would cost to feed her on the taxpayer ticket for 60 days. It would be cheaper to feed the manatee.

I was in the same park last week with my daughter and had to alert her to the fact that it's a crime to mess with them. The reason I did is because they just sit there while you walk up to them (or dive down to them) and pet them. They don't seem scared. They seem indifferent and what person is not going to want to interact with a wild animal that is novel and approachable? I have no problem with it being illegal, but as a earlier poster said, the least the state of Florida could do is tell people that with signs since they get a lot of tourists and no one from out of town (and many from in-state) have no idea that touching a docile animal is illegal.

Profreedom-

Florida is very pro jail. Everyone goes to jail in Florida for a LONG time for petty @!$%#. They call it.....job creation.....judges, police officers, attorneys, prison guards, clerical workers.......all on tax payer dollars! It's nuts down there!

MAUREEN - you have some very major issues to work out!

Im usually pretty openminded about preserving nature . But Maureen , you really make me want a manatee-B-Que .

Maureen: You are correct to be outraged by the behavior of this lady- perhaps the authorities should have started by asking this loser to show her green card.

Screw the rest of these pathetic morons trying to justify this idiots behavior - They represent what is wrong with this country and just how pathetically low the humanity, the decency has sunk and will continue to sink as long as that imbecile continues occupying the white house

So rather than continue to rag on Maureen go back to standing in line for your next welfare check or at your local junky - losers

Peeps should show some understanding and not pick on Maureen. Obviously she either woke up on the wrong side of no one, or is on the rag.

You think Maureen is peeved now, just wait until some "fat bitch" tries to ride a sea horse.

Other than paying taxes is there anything that there is not a law against?.

Everything that is not covered by a law is covered by catch-alls "disorderly conduct" or "disturbing the peace".

I splashed a seagull at the beach; I'm expecting a SWAT team any minute.

Maureen-2162031 You can't possibly know much about the Manatee, because if you did you would know that it could easily support this woman and also get away from her. You talk about the Manatee as if it is more precious a creature than a Human?

The thing that comes to mind after reading someone's irrational post about an animal is that they usually are Pro-Choice. Now that is about the biggest contradiction there is. Period.

Well I say, RIDE it. That thing looks like fun. Stupid laws anyway. That woman really is cool and has a heart. Turned herself in. Noble. Leave her alone.

I've ridden some manatees in my lifetime. Not my proudest moments, but no regrets.

In the reverse sea cowgirl position, i suppose. Way to go, Pablo.

Now for Maureen: Actually, this is more for MSNBC: When you delete Maureen's comment, yet there are a large body (no pun intended) of posts referring to what Maureen said, and those of us who came in late are left to skim through a massive amount of Maureen bashing to get to some fresh things about Manatee riding.

Maureen, I don't know you and I didn't manage to read your post since I just got home. Judging from the other posters it is commonly thought that you are very confused. Possibly mistaken in your position. It is even true that many are questioning your intelligence. I would, I'm sure, defend you...but I can't and I can only judge your comments on the reflections of others. Since I can't assure you that I will be there to help defend you, possibly you can be more thoughtful before posting. You can even note down the keywords of your presentation and try them out on the dog or your mom. Watch their eyes, and if they seem uncomfortable, I'm afraid you would probably be amiss to post it anyway.

Thank you.

Pablo... riding those manatees is like riding your water bed. There is some fun but I quickly get seasick...

She looks like a Haitian! Probably rode it all the way here!

2 things.

1 is that Maureen's posts werent deleted, they were collapsed. You can still click and view them.

2nd, Maureen is a troll. It is most obvious with "her" second post. The stuff said is so stupid that is is clearly just said to rile people up, and it worked. So, move on from the Maureen topic.

Also, if she is fat then I am a freaking whale. That picture shows a little chub, but hell. Stop comparing everyone to supermodels.

Geez, she turned herself in which, 99% of people wouldn't have done. I'm sure she won't do it again. If they need to punish her I hope it's not too harsh, she seems to have remorse.

I think in this case, ignorance is a perfectly valid excuse. What she did was pretty harmless, all things considered, and it's a waste of resources to prosecute her. The intent of the law was to keep people in speedboats from negligently harming these slowing swimming creatures.

Incidentally, pick up the book "3 Felonies a Day." See how many accidental crimes you are committing, in ignorance of the law.

Riding a horse=Okay

Riding a mantee=Not Okay, Molesting, Harrassing, etc.

Law enforecement gets involved- Really?????? The lady came forward to the authorities- more than I can say for this infraction for what i would have done.

People cut drug dealing, gun toting, baggy pants fools more slack than this lady.

This is why California and Florida should just fall into the sea....... Cops are $icks only going after the easy targets.

Oh- and the alligator population is out of control- as they are now up in North Carolina in Wilmington.

Personally, I could care less about manattees.
Kudos to the woman for turning herself in when she realized she did something wrong.
Pretty sure zero amount of the people commenting here would do the same.
Cut her a break.

No Maureen, I think it is you who are ignorant. Incidently, being ignorant is not so much of an insult as it is a statement that you lack a working knowledge of the situation. I can't imagine what would motivate someone to spew such toxic venom at a person that was in fact ignorant that she was doing something wrong. When someone pointed it out, she made an attemt to correct the wrong by turning herself in.

Should have said, "couldn't care less."

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Make her carry a sign describing her crime during rush hour in Pinellas for a week. It will help educate the public.

Bad Idea. If I saw a sign like that I'd prob laugh so hard I'd crash.

Dave... reality check. After turning herself in, she wasn't charged. Law enforcement did not make a big deal out of this. They wouldn't even charge her. Not even a small fine.

I wish Iran and North Korea would fall into the ocean. As for California and Florida... they are America and I am an American. God Bless America. All of it, including CA, FL, and NC too

Maureen;

Are you equally as worried about the all children going hungry in this country or the declining quality of education? I am all for protecting manatees but I struggle to put them way up there on my priority list. Just too many other serious issues. Like common decency. You can disagree with someone without the name-calling and insults. That doesn't help your case.

I can only conclude that maureen has missed a few too many anger management classes

If you read Maureen's comments and imagine her as the bus driver from South Park, it's really funny. Try it.

You have a serious problem, calling this lady names. Obviously, she didn't know she could hurt the animal, and once she realized she did something wrong she turned herself in. But what give you the right to call her a fat pig because she is a bit over weight. You should show the same compassion you have for one mammal to the other mammal, regardless of their appearance.

Maureen....a woman who cares..... :

A look at her past posts......

First Thoughts: The enthusiasm gap

Tue Sep 4, 2012

• Michelle Obama is so incredibly ugly, it hurts to look at her. They want to rekindle voter's enthusiasm but the only ones watching are the onces who are already democrats.

Erica DePalo, former 'Teacher of the Year,' accused of having sex with 15-year-old student

Tue Sep 4, 2012

• So far she has been has been accused, arrested and charged, but not proven guilty. Shouldn't some of you wait and see what the final outcome is before you would have her beheaded? …

California man returns cash tossed from car during police chase

Thu Sep 13, 2012

• Most blacks would keep it since they are already used to taking and keeping money that they did not earn. Can you say "welfare?" Yes, this is a racist remark, but it is also true. …

Grizzly mauls hiker to death at Denali National Park; bear shot

Sat Aug 25, 2012

• Damn man had no business hiking there or alone or without some sort of protection. He got what he deserved. The bear did not.
• Dammit, it's Alaska. That's where grizzlies live. There is nowhere up in Alaska that is entirely safe from predators. Know that when you visit and especially if you live there. I l …

......and lastly....I can't make this stuff up:

#5.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:07 PM CDT

"I think Treyvon knew exactly what he was doing when he walked through that neighborhood at night, wearing a hoodie. He was a troublemaker, had already been suspended from school, so he just figured he'd try and spook some white folks...he wasn't counting on an armed man meeting him, but the kid got what he deserved"

Well now everyone knows if you want to ride one of these things you go out 10 miles and then you can ride as many as you want.

@TB-kudos. This thing is cracking me up and you just took the cake. Poor Maureen, she needs a hug.

Gotcha TB,
I think we all get that Maureen is an idiot. I've seen some of the posts you copied. I've even been in a debate with her at one time...talk about self-abuse.

Maureen,
She rode the animal, she didn't shoot it or poke it in the eye. Chances are the Manatee enjoyed itself, you don't know.

Maureen--

Are you kidding me? Did you actually type the words that "it could have drowned"? How, in God's name, does a single 150lbs person drown a WATER DWELLING MAMMAL that weighs over 1200lbs and can hold it's breath for up to 20 minutes? You've gotta be kidding me.

Maureen pours battery acid on her vagina to get properly worked up for these internet fights.

TB-Texas: Wow, that was some great research.... and really shines light on the type of human beings or mammals that "Maureen" cares most about! She hardly respects any humans, and have nothing positive.

Just spewing Unnecessary HATE!!!

Maureen, you do need some help, a change in environment, and some friends or new ones if you do not have any at all!

@DaveM-877764 , hopefully she tries to ride a GATOR next :P problem solved !!!

catmandeaux, how old are you ?

Manatee just isn't that fast... great for a slow news day

I thought the same thing! Even with manatees, no means no!

Molest means different things.

Wow, you guys are so educated. "Molest" means "to pester or harass".

(Looks at replies)

Some people have no sense of humor.

Somewhere on the ocean floor the Manatee has just scrawled "For a good time, call Ana Gloria..."

Some people have no sense of humor.

USMC Vet sure has a good sense of humor.

If the Sea World people wanted to ride a manatee, they too would be arrested. The law is what it is, and shows don't get exceptions to that. Notice how there isn't a law about not clinging onto dolphins, wild or not.

Harold,

A) Take a closer look at the photo, It's not much bigger than her.

B) Believe it or not working at Sea World does not let you ride wild endangered species.

C) How do you know it didn't swim away or show it's "discontent"? Does a bullrider on a bull mean the bull is happy?

pjam.... don't need to take a closer look. The AVERAGE length of manatee is 9.5 feet. The average weight of a manatee is 1000 pounds. Let's say this manatee is below average. That makes is 8.5 feet long and 800 lbs.

It's MUCH bigger than her.

A bull underneath a rider has a strap around it's testicles that is pulled tight just before it's let loose. And you're comparing that to this woman taking a quick ride on the back of a manatee that swam into waters to check out the humans? The manatee's biggest problem is it's too trusting of humans. They approach humans. And humans have been told, "they're harmless".

I think we've all seen enough of nature to understand that if a 1000-lb mammal is unhappy with a 150-lb mammal, it's either gonna flee or fight. In this case, the manatee appears to be doing neither (granted, hard to tell from a still photo).

I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Ms. Gutierrez, esp. since she did the right thing when she heard they were looking for her.

And law enforcement did the right thing too by refusing to arrest or charge her.

Notice how there isn't a law about not clinging onto dolphins, wild or not.

lol yea hang on to a dolphin that does not like you doing that. They have sharp teeth and been known to kill large sharks. Real bad idea they can mess you up real good if they wanted to and they are very aware of it. Glad they like us so much

dicerotops, your wrong it's the same for wild dolphins you can't even feed a wild dolphin it's against the law.

Employees at Sea World would know better

Dolphins is the same thing. I got in trouble at the Jersey shore for swimming out to a pod of Dolphins that was just off shore. The lifeguard was not pleased. Didnt know it was illegal but apparently you have to stay somewhere like 200 yards away. Its been awhile so I dont recall the exact amount. I was no danger to them hell they were too fast for me to get anywhere near but they were around me. Kind of a nice feeling really but I dont recommend doing it.

Both?

when a cow in the sea rides a sea cow is it really a crime??

That's a man, baby.

In PA they would. This woman turned herself in and she wasn't arrested or charged.

Jerry Sandusky assumed the same position as Ms. Gutierrez many times. In 1998, when PA authorities investigated him, they treated Sandusky just like Pinellas PD treated Ms. Gutierrez.

He was neither arrested or charged.

Should we now expect that Ms. Gutierrez will become a serial manatee rider, riding manatees without fear of reprisal for the next 12 years?

The truly compassionate care about both animals and people. You don't have to give up one concern for the other.

however unlike Jerry Sandusky I dont think she was trying to cram anything into the manatees a**

and by the way emily, people suck

Why? Manatees aren't dangerous to humans, and Ms. Gutierrez wasn't a danger to that manatee. SeaWorld employees ride big ocean mammals every single day. People pay money to see it and SeaWorld rakes it in. Who gets arrested when they do it?

Stupid or not, Sea World sends the message. Riding large sea mammals is safe and fun. They do it several times a day, every day. They show how safe and fun it really is.

I don't blame Ms. Gutierrez for giving it a whack. Looks like fun. Manatees enjoy human interaction and approach humans all the time. I don't believe for 1 second that the manatee was in any danger.

I'm not saying make it legal. But I also don't call it inredible human stupidity. If she was riding a great white shark, then I'd call it incredible stupidity.

Wow after this, I may consider Romney to get rid of regulation, this is the dumbest arrest I have ever seen, and what about as you say thousands of other people all over US that have all kinds of wild animals in or out of shows, and then of course the killers/shooters who keep and shoot wild animals--I guess they are safe they have guns HuH!

Go down to Florida again and try the crocks way down there under the bushes (or is it Bushies)--or is that too stupid?

Incredible human stupidity? Wow, that's quite a stretch.

Bundgaard... no arrest was made. In fact, they refused to arrest her or bring charges.

There, now you don't have to vote for Mitt anymore.

You're welcome.

Many resorts in Mexico and Hawaii allow guests to play with and ride the dolphins. How would someone with such a past experience who is visiting Florida automatically know better than to touch a manatee? I understand the old adage that ignorance of the law is no excuse...But this lady grew up in the era of the TV show Flipper, where everyone rode the tail of that animal like it was a mode of family transportation.

Sharita bemoans an example of "incredible human stupidity".

There are several examples of human stupidity in this story, Sharita, to which one do you refer? No matter, let's say it was the lady riding the shapeless blob...uh...manatee. You must be right, because I am certain that manatee poop smells worse than almost any poop in the universe, and if you hang out with manatees, it is only a foregone conclusion that you, also, will stink to high heaven.

Sharita: If your head had a small window in the side, we could peer in and try to gauge your actual meaning. In lieu of that, I recommend filling in your thought with more detail. Try this: "Now here (insert example) is an incredible example of human stupidity."

Every year we go to Longboat Key FL. Our property has another complex with a boat dock. While sitting on this dock a manatee, with her newborn calf, swam up to check us out. Hopefully she wasn't looking for a snack of lettuce - without the hook, like your not-so-well meaning friend was going to serve up.

I got a few great pics of Momma-tee and Baby, and we got off the dock, as we're aware of the Marine Mammal laws. I don't want to be that dumbs#!t tourist that causes harm to a marine mammal through blatant stupidity.

There are signs pretty much everywhere we go in LBK/Sarasota, but I like the idea of huge billboards informing the morons about the dangers to the animals, and to themselves. I guess they think they're in Orlando, where nothing is real, and you can't get hurt, or hurt something. And then ban jet-skies and powerboats and booze. That's a deadly combination, and usually not for the humans.

I am very protective Anne of the manatees. They are awesome to see gliding in the water. the other friend is a drunken friend who just needs to be slapped once in awhile.

Longboat Key is fantastic, lucky you. I catch alot of the beach at Redington and the mantatees run up the sand bar channel. Enjoy, have a great night.

I've seen Manatee's on many occasions. I can see "large", "slow", "dimwitted" and "useless". But I wouldn't have gone with awesome.

If your lucky while snorkling and they cruise by it is awesome Steve.

I know right. More damage has been done by scientists in the name of science ( or industry for that matter) than this lady did in the name of amusement.

you're a human being? pure ugliness (spelled correctly) is all I get from that post.

Would you care if that woman rode you "as long as it didn't hurt"? ... yea, didn't think so.

P.S.

Manatees need to surface for air, I'm sure having a hog on their back doesn't make it easier.

I don't think it did care - apparently, it didn't press charges.

If it's not taken seriously, people will start ignoring the law and, eventually, one or more of these animals will be hurt.

Emily, you're not wrong.

For every 1 manatee hurt by a dumb-ass tourist trying to ride it, 10,000 more will be killed or maimed (accidentally) by boat propellers from the locals.

Local recreational boaters are the number 1 threat to manatees, not people like Ms. Gutierrez. That said, your statement is still correct.

I was in Daytona Beach when a manatee came within 20 feet of the beach. Everyone on the beach jumped in the water to get a closer look or a picture. I heard mothers tell their children to swim toward it (for the photo op, of course).

Eventually it swam away. They may be ugly, but people love them. It's their reputation for being harmless. When there's no fear, the only thing left is curiosity.

Sailors used to the believe they were beautiful mermaids. That's when you know you've been out to sea too long.

Maureen?

Tell that to a horse!!

lead - "I love how it says wild animals are not meant for riding.....really non at all????"

Um, yea. Name a wild animal that you walk up to and start riding? Geez, have you ever actually been in the wild?

P.S.

The correct word is "none" not "non".

Bubba - Horses are not riden until they are "broken" i.e. not wild.

They were wild, did you ever ask a horse which they would rather be, broken or free?? Ya so they get some hay! big deal. Would rather be a dud or a full time STUD! pjam, I'm a husband so I'm broken but when I was young it was STUD time!

jeez,im glad i scrolled up and saw this.you took the words right out of my mouth.

It's sad that so many people can no longer even understand what a WILD animal is. Nobody rides WILD horses, camels, elephants or anything else they ride tame ones.

Maybe because they are endangered species? Ever think of that?

You have my permission and blessing to ride a tiger or lion.

I absolutely agree! She was given the opportunity and you can't tell me that many of you wouldn't have done the same thing, assuming you weren't afraid. I don't understand what the problem is. When she found out she had violated a law she turned herself in.