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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:
who cares so a woman got a ride....
I'm glad the manatee's are protected. How about the poor dolphins? Why is it ok for them to be captured tormented and ridden?
I am with Maureen! You go girl!
It's not like she gaffed it, killed it and ate it.....
Guess Seaworld better be shut down.
I dunno, she was just being stupid....not really malicious. A hefty fine should do it.
pues si solamente estaba jugando con sus parientes!!
al que hay que meter a la carcel es al que la dejo escapar de la reserva!!
I remember it well. I was in the middle of Boca Grande pass, my boat capsized. I was treading water for hours, if it hadn't been for the manatee giving me a ride back to shore I would have drowned. If I hadn't gone to, how to ride a Manatee school, I would never have known how to ride one. The manatee you ride today may save your life tomorrow. Seriously, we are so up tight, with so many laws, it's against the law to have fun.. give me a break. Is cow tipping still legal ? We can keep Dolphins in captivity and charge people to ride them, so look out for someone to open a ride a manatee park..
look closely --is that a male manatee--look i think she is trying to mate with it--oh- my eyes !!!
Ah Maureen-2162031, this is why we cut taxes and funding to schools. People can claim ignorance...!
That was Catfish Sue's granddaughter.
Maybe the Manatee was molesting her? She should totally fight this in court if she gets charged. That Manatee should be jailed!
Nobama.
And to top it all off the cow had the audacity to wear a two piece to the beach. Moooooo!
Wow, is that a woman? It looks like a man with a woman's bekini top. or is it a mansier? She has quite a cookie duster.
I just want to see her papers.NO,for real
Hope the manatee did not broke its back to carry a human cow.LOL.
"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 suppose caging wild animals in a zoo, out of their habitat, is perfectly fine?
I find it odd that she even chose to ride it! Who would do that? Very strange!
Hey Maureen......boy, reading your post really shows not only do you like to call people degrading adjectives, but you also seem to be a Ms. Know-it-all. If you are married, God help your husband; you are what men refer to as a real cvnt.
Let me list some other "animals": Horses, Dolphins, Killer Whales, Ostriches, Bulls, Elephants, Camels, and Donkeys.
What makes a Manatee any different than any of the other "animals" I listed? Just wondering.
What's the problem here? Two sea cows mating. It's nature, people.
Where are the sharks when you need them.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse lady, get out your checkbook they are going to fine your azz.
No harm done...
It really comes down to respect for the creature. It could have been hurt; it could have been killed. I sincerely doubt the manatee would have chosen to have her ride it. (and I only use "it" because I don't know the gender.)
The second issue is that there actually is a law; it wasn't created to make this woman's life a little more complicated or to kill a little time. There's a law for a reason. These are gentle creatures that are endangered and are therefore protected by federal law. She didn't realize; they may not prosecute. I see nothing wrong here. Hopefully, she learned a little something. I doubt it.