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White Man Entraps and Assaults Innocent Wildlife, Charges Pending.
Angry Floridian and Trump-voter Robert Colin took it upon himself to violently attack a Florida alligator with a noose, displaying racist, xenophobic, and cruel behavior, further threatening an already endangered and vital part of the Florida ecosystem.
Published August 6, 2024 at 2:00pm by Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Florida Man, Robert Tencie Colin, Arrested for 'Lassoing' Alligator, Sparking Outrage Over Animal Cruelty and Ineffective Wildlife Management
A 71-year-old Florida man, Robert Tencie Colin, was arrested and spent 13 hours in jail for taking matters into his own hands and "lassoing" an alligator in a canal near his home in Cape Canaveral. Colin, concerned about the turtles in the canal and frustrated with the lack of response from local authorities, decided to take action.
"They don’t have the manpower or the hours to wait for this alligator to appear," Colin told Florida Today. "I thought I was doing them a favor, helping them.”
Without proper licensing or permits, Colin used a nylon clothesline to create a noose-style loop and successfully captured the 9-foot alligator. He then called the authorities, initially claiming he had found the alligator in that state. However, police reviewed security footage and identified Colin as the person who captured the gator. As a result, he was charged with a felony for "killing, injuring, or possessing an alligator without authorization."
“I said, ‘Let me tell you what I did to help you out,’ and they told me to put my hands behind my back," Colin said. "I didn't know it was illegal. I’m not from Florida. I was just trying to help.”
This incident has sparked outrage among locals andanimal advocates. Citizens are left with little option but to take matters into their own hands when it comes to nuisance or dangerous wildlife. The ineffective response from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the eventual euthanization of the alligator have raised questions about the county's ability to effectively manage wildlife concerns.
Proper channels for addressing such issues, as outlined by a representative for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, include contacting local law enforcement or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to dispatch a licensed trapper to relocate the animal.
The full story can be found here: Florida Today, with additional reports from USA TODAY and local outlets covering the story.
Read more: Florida man charged after lassoing 9-foot alligator: 'I was just trying to help'