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Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Authorities released this photo of a woman reportedly riding a manatee.
A woman who police said was seen touching and riding a manatee in Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas, Fla., over the weekend turned herself in to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Bay Times reported.
Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez, 52, told police Tuesday that she wasn't aware what she did was against the law, the report said.
Witnesses gave authorities her description and photos of her riding the sea cow, which is a second-degree misdemeanor. She was seen riding the manatee at 1 p.m. Sunday in the water north of Gulf Pier, authorities said.
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Gutierrez was not arrested or charged, but the charges were referred to the state attorney's office, according to the Times.
The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Acts states that: "It is unlawful for any person at any time, by any means, or in any manner intentionally or negligently to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb or attempt to molest, harass, or disturb any manatee."
Authorities say the penalty for the woman could be up to 60 days in jail and a possible fine of $500.
Authorities don't believe any manatees were injured.
"It's a wild animal. It's not something to be ridden," Susan Butler, a manatee expert with the U.S. Geological Survey in Gainesville, told the Times. "I can't say that as a biologist I would ever, ever condone that, or say that (the manatee) wanted them to do that."
This article includes reporting by Lisa Orkin Emmanuel, NBCMiami.com, and NBC News staff.
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Leave a Comment:
Punishment: Let the manatee ride her.
I can't believe that our COMMANDER AND CHEAT hasn't piped in on this news breaking story...If he had another wife she would have looked like this manatee.......HUM
If we could only see your bloated hairy paunch then your joke would be hilarious
On the local news...witnesses state that the manatee was in distress and this crazy woman was not letting it up for air. They stated they kept hollering to her to leave it alone as she was distressing it. She ignored everyone and I think she should be charged with animal cruelty...this is not a case of a brave lady this is a case of a abusive selfish person inflicting her desires on a helpless animal. I like the coment about her holding a sign at rush hour.
Her punishment should be walking around with a manatee on her back for a day.
Maybe in an over-sized baby backpack.
good one
Susan Butler, a manatee expert with the U.S. Geological Survey in Gainesville, told the Times. "I can't say that as a biologist I would ever, ever condone that, or say that (the manatee) wanted them to do that.
Yes, but can you say categorically that the manatee DID NOT want to frolic around in the water with this big o'l gal riding it? And who asked you to "condone" anything in the first place?
The woman shouldn't have ridden the manatee...it's against the law. Fine her or whatever and let's move on to something more serious like the wholesale slaughter of 50,000,000 babies through abortion since 1973. Then we can talk about these lesser issues.
Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
These organizations won't condone what this woman did, but yet they let Sea World keep 7 ton orcas in a fish bowl to entertain humans!!!
At one time these animals were endangered. If you choose to live in a state, you should know the laws of that state or live somewhere else. I don't believe it stated anything about her being a tourist. Why wasn't she satisfied with swimming in the same area with this mammal. For those of you who have never seen one, they are very big.
She is probably an illegal and they will put her up in a hotel, pay for her kids schooling, and find her a job, and give her free health care if she got hurt ridding it. Thanks Obama. Vote Hoefling in 2012.
Harold.... really? This is typical behavior of people that have no clue about nature and obviously very little common sense. These are gentle, slow moving and threatened animals constantly wounded and killed by boats. This is on the same level as feeding animals people food. Observe, don't touch or feed wild animals, period. She said she didn't know it was against the law. That says it all. Let's let her stroll thru a forest and have some animal ride on her back and maybe she'll get a clue. Duh. Actually a funny mental picture.
Lord- Agreed. It's not ok to ride any wild animal, race them whatever. Won't go into eating them. Just leave 'em alone fools.
I will never understand Florida's love affair with the Manatee. Anyone who spends time along the canal in West Palm would agree they could use a thinning of the herd. They are everywhere and always in the way. Ride them back out into open water.....
I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like she hurt the thing. Yes, I realize it's against the law but putting her in jail would be ridiculous. If you want to make a example of her, fine her and then leave it alone. To all the poster's calling her a cow or ugly, stop being such a child and a brat. There's no reason to be calling her names for doing something rather harmless. Atleast she had the gall to turn herself in. If she didn't, they never would have found out who it was.
"I can't say that as a biologist I would ever, ever condone that, or say that (the manatee) wanted them to do that."
Wonder what her thoughts on people playing with dolphins is......
Wow....Im reading an article on a woman making, maybe, an honest mistake. I didnt know the comments were going to lead to a bunch of "perfect" people. Im tired of reading an article and then reading the comments just to see a bunch of "a"holes commenting on how the woman looks. GROW UP. It makes me sick. I thought everyone in here were "supposed" to be grown???!!! I feel like this is a bunch of teenagers! Seriously...everyone is quick to comment on how bullies need to learn a lesson, but then all of you are doing the same thing. Leave the damn woman alone. How are children going to learn when there parents (or other supposed adults) are attacking other peoples looks for no reason. Its disgusting. I forgot everyone in here looks like a damn supermodel! Gimmie a break....you know your ass jiggles just like the rest of us!!!!
Maybe those that are so OFFENDED by this woman"s actions should read about all of the FLORIDA RESIDENTS that go boating with their speed boats through POSTED protected manatee areas and CARVE UP these gentle giants with the props of their boats.....The government should impose a law that REQUIRES a PROP GUARD on all boats operating in florida waters...That is IF THEY REALLY want to prevent damage to the manatee...Hundreds of times each year manatee are ravaged by boat props . Check out the photos on line they are REPULSIVE....Where is PETA on this issue...If you have the money to OWN and OPERATE a boat you could pay the additional price to outfit a boat with the safe guards and reduce the SUFFERING
Absolutely.
Jon
Well said.
looks like a cow riding a cow
wow....you sound like a big boy!!!
No Harm - No Foul.............(BIRD)
Did not hurt anyone or anything !
Overreaching authorities may want to just make an example of her.............. TALIBAN STYLE LAW Enforccement !
I owned a racing manatee once. He was called "Manawar" and was the fastest manatee around. I sold him because I was tired of shoveling manuer (like I'm doing right now)
I must admit that we have so many rules that I doubt 5% of us know at least 80% of all the rules we have. I would respect the manatee, especially at her weight- sorry, but she's no kid or light weight. We have no idea how this manatee feels, if it's injured, so it is best to respect all wildlife because you never know what could happen. Best be safe than sorry. I don't see intent to harm this manatee, so I hope they don't put charges against her since she did come forward and did the right thing there. Lesson learned I hope.
This is just really strange.
she a mexi, dey dumb yo!
I don't know but I'd of had a hard time remembering that law. I see people on the news and on youtube riding whale sharks and things like that. Manatee's always get hit by boat propellers too. Was it hurt by the riding, why is this a law?
How could this Lady know the laws when she probably can't speak ENGLISH.
But officer, the Manatee was minding it's own business and all of a sudden it got Manatee Jacked!
She thought it was her momma.