Gator attacks handler during show
Posted: May 21st, 2010 | Author: jason | Filed under: alligators, wildlife | Tags: alligator, Cotee River, cotee river seafood festival, crowd, florida wildlife, foot alligator, fox 13, Jeffrey Quattrocchi, NEW, new port richey, Port, quattrocchi, RICHEY, right arm, seafood, wildlife commission | No Comments »NEW PORT RICHEY – A crowd at a seafood festival in watched in horror Sunday as an alligator handler was attacked.
FOX 13 has obtained video shot by a couple in the audience that may be disturbing to some viewers.
New Port Richey police say Jeffrey Quattrocchi was performing with a gator at the Cotee River Seafood Festival.
Video shows him poking a stick in the direction of the eight-foot alligator’s mouth and grabbing its tail.
At some point during the show, the alligator turned on him, biting his right arm.
Police say it was a severe attack, but Quattrocchi is expected to survive after undergoing surgery Sunday night.
The Florida Wildlife Commission captured the alligator and they say the animal will not be destroyed, but will likely be handed back over to Quattrocchi once he gets better.
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