Bail me out of jail?**UPDATE**

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

As most of you already know we have to watch out for the gators here.  We've had a close call or two but nothing that mother nature didn't create.  NO the community will NOT let me put up a fence.  As far as I know, one has never come up into the yard from the lake behind us.  We see them swim past always going inside the lanai.  However, for the past 3 weeks we have been living in terror!  There is a smallish gator - I'm guessing 5 or 6 feet, that I believe someone has fed.  This makes them very dangerous as they now have no fear of humans.  I believe that someone has fed this gator because if I go out into the back yard with the boys in the morning or at dusk this guy (cue the Jaws music) will make a bee line straight across the lake right to us.  I've called security and they came once but no gator, (they can swim under the road through tubes from lake to lake), called them again when he came back but no one came out.  Called them again and nothing.  Tonight he came within a foot of the shore.  I'm trying to gather up 2 puppies with the zoomies and get them inside.  I'm shaking, I'm scared and I'm sick of living in FEAR.  I called security and told them that the next time I see it - I'm going to shoot it.  Yes - I do have a gun and am a pretty good shot.  They are now promising that the trapper will be here tomorrow but I swear - if I see it I'm going to shoot it and I will go to jail as it is illegal.  I no longer care - I've had it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  If I text you all from the back of the cruiser - will ya bail me out?

********************************************Security called just now and said that the trapper would be here by noon.  I don't care if he has to spend the night - he isn't leaving without that gator.  I've also called the shooting range and am taking a gun class on 10/27 for women.  I'm going to get my skills back up to snuff just incase I have to snuff a gator - lmao!  I'll let ya know if they catch him!!!! 

[Lynn D.]

Its not the caliber of the gun but the placement of the shot. Apparently, you could take out a gator with a 22LR as long as you hit the correct spot on the first shot. That armour plateing is quite thick, aim for behind and lower than the eyes. Even if you think its goose is cooked, don't get close to it. You may have only stunned it.

 

Yes, I will help with bail and even provide your ride home.

 

In all seriousness, please be careful as this creature is not predictable.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Is there anyway that you (and others) in your community could petition to HOA to change the rules on fencing.  Our HOA in FL allowed fencing on the lakes but it couldn't be solid and it had to be lower on the lake.  You can always leave in the invisible fencing to keep Stuart from jumping over, it would just keep the alligators out.  Maybe if you get a picture or two of your intruder you could use those to persuade people that fencing needs to be allowed for safety.  What do people with children do?  This is really scary.  The whole time I was in FL I never saw an alligator in any of our ponds/lakes.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Horrifying! I cannot imagine how frightening this has to be. It is completely ridiculous that people (as well as sweet Rooney and Stuart) endangered by gators cannot have fences! So scary!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jane, it really is scary to see those aligators up close and they move really fast once they decide to pounce and hit land. One thing I do know is where there is one, there are more! This is a good arguement for a fence, but it may take a tragedy to make that happen.  We lived on fresh water for 20+ years and aligators were a daily sight, except they always kept their distance. I feel for you. Yes, it may mean moving.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would be shaking, too. I hope they trap it and get it out of there. What kind of idiot would feed a gator?

Jane, do whatever you have to do to keep your guys safe!  I'll be happy to chip in for your bail.

[shelly]

YES!  I WILL, Jane!  Hey... I hear "gator skin" makes a nice pair of shoes... with five or six feet - you could get a few pair of shoes and nice cowboy boots for the boys!  I would be VERY upset!  You have every right!  This is not just some 'bunny' hopping around destroying your plants!  It is a huge, very dangerous threat to not only your PETS, but yourself as well!  GO FOR IT!  If we don't see your posts it the morning... we'll know to send the reinforcements!!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 Calamity Jane,  I would be the SAME way!!! (Sorry I couldn't resist after I read about the gun!)  Seriously though,  I'm so sorry!!! Is there such a thing as a wildlife barrier or something you could put down that would be okay with the community?

Is this outside of your e-fence or is there a way to use the e-fence to keep the pups away from the water?

How far is the water from your house?

[Joyce & Wilson]

I would be calling my friendly real estate agent first thing in the morning!!  Whats stopping the next idiot neighbor feeding the alligators??  I just could never feel comfortable again for my dogs!  Good luck,, have you thought about a paintball gun!?  Maybe the bail would be lower for that!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Count me in for bail!  I know you live where you live because you want to, but it would just be too scary for me - give me an earthquake any time instead of gators.

[Camilla and Darwin]

oh yikes

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Jane...I can't remember if you were a member yet when we all stepped up and raised money for a DRC Doodle who was pulled from the kill shelter and needed double hip surgery.  Well, you should have seen the response here on DK.  His name was Midnight and he received his new hips for Christmas.  It was an amazing coming together from all of us like I have never seen.  Rest assured...we will have a fund riser like you won't believe!!!  Never fear!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, the power of DK is amazing. Before there even was a DRC, we also raised the funds needed for surgery to restore a blind, homeless doodle's sight. Her foster mom adopted her and joined DK.

Shoot, bail for a crazy doodle mom who shoots some old alligator should be a piece of cake!