Woman Puts Alligator in Her Back Seat

AP ^ | February 25, 2003

[Indy Pendance]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Leslie Strickland said she had nothing but good intentions when she loaded a badly hurt 6-foot alligator into the back seat of her car and took it home to Port Charlotte.

The 49-year-old woman had hit the animal with her car Friday night and went back to rescue it Saturday - but wound up spending a night in jail, charged with possession of an alligator, a felony in Florida.

Police also charged her with driving with a suspended license and walking away from the scene of an accident, leaving the injured alligator in the back seat.

"I knew I was in trouble, and I panicked and I left," Strickland said by phone Monday. "I had a felony in the back seat, and I just didn't know what to do."

On Saturday, Strickland said she drove the gator home, wetted it down with hose and then tried unsuccessfully to reach somebody with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

After neighbors told her it was illegal to have the animal, she loaded it in the car again and drove off in search of a pond to release it.

But the alligator started to thrash its tail, she said. Distracted, she veered off the road and hit a mailbox. Witnesses told police she tried to drive off, but her car got stuck in the ditch. So she got out and walked away.

Police arrested Strickland at her home nearby, adding a charge of resisting arrest after she struggled with officers who tried to handcuff her. She said she "freaked out" at the prospect of going to jail.

The game commission finally removed the alligator from the car; it died later.

[Jeff Chandler]

I couldn't add a thing to this story. It speaks for itself.

[Redcloak]

But, but... I don't understand... The cute, little woodland creatures don't act like this in the Disney movies! They don't thrash around trying to hurt people; they sing nice songs about living together. How could this happen?!?

[The_Victor]

In most parts of Louisiana, that's not a felony, it's dinner.

[stainlessbanner]

Anything under 10 foot is a lizard

[dirtboy]

I couldn't add a thing to this story. It speaks for itself.

An alligator once bit my sister (since they don't have moose in Floriduh)...

[Focault's Pendulum]

"I had a felony in the back seat, and I just didn't know what to do."

There are just too many possibilities with this line....I'm probably better off not touching it.

[stainlessbanner]

Please do the honors

[Pern]

In most parts of Louisiana, that's not a felony, it's dinner.

Darn right it is! Especially the tail, deep fried. Finger lickin' good!

[Psalm 73]

How the heck did she get the 'gator in the car by herself? A six-footer's got to weigh a few hundred pounds.
She had help getting it in the car, and they weren't trying to rescue it - they were gonna EAT it.

[Jeff Chandler]

... they don't have moose in Floriduh...the aligators keep them away!

[ChuckHam]

Hold mah gator!!!

[Spruce]

possession of an alligator, a felony in Florida....

All together now; "When Alligators are outlawed, only outlaws will have Alligators".

p.s. Is possession of a Camen a lesser charge?

[Blue Collar Christian]

I belive it's people like this in Florida we owe the Presidency to. Prabably tried to vote for Al Gore, but did't know where to shove the probe, or left hanging chad or did't hold her mouth right or SOMETHING!

[blackdog]

See ya later Wally Gator.....

Really though, this is the ideal new age criminal. A bit irresponsible and stupid, but well intended, conciensious, full of good will, and not violent, smoking crack, and kicking out patrol car windows. Another decade and the jails will be full of these types. Better than real criminals. Less messy and better on guard morale too.

Reminds me of the story of the guy who saw a deer hit by a truck in Michigan. The doe was killed but he saw her belly rolling around. He got out and cut her open and revived the fawn with CPR. He drove it home and called the DNR to take it.

He got six months and cannot own a gun any more.

[Jeff Chandler]

Really though, this is the ideal new age criminal

Well, she ain't no Amos Moses!

[DainBramage]

Okay I'll say it.....

"This is a crock," she snapped at the judge.

[stainlessbanner]

A Jerry Reed fan! Right on

[Consort]

There are only about 46 intelligent women left in the world.

[blackdog]

Upon sentencing, the woman shed crocodile tears....