State Says Gator Killing Wasn't Self-Defense
FORT WORTH (AP) - A fisherman is facing a $5,300 penalty for shooting an 11-foot alligator he thought was attacking him and his fishing buddy.
Patrick Miller and Keyon Ivory said they were fishing in the Trinity River near the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge May 9 when the alligator swam swiftly toward their two-person boat, prompting both men to jump out and Miller to shoot it.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Friday that state game wardens have determined the alligator killing was not in self-defense.
Game warden Clint Borchardt says the fishermen aren't poachers, they just "made a bad choice" and will be fined.
The fishermen could not be reached for comment.
A recording of their 911 call reveals their panic at the "huge gator...deliberately coming right at us."
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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