Sad day for Seaworld. IMHO, the warning about holding up the tray is sufficient disclaimer (just like "Skate at your own risk"). The little girl was clearly not seriously injured. However, the parents immediately started using lawyer defenses and will undoubtedly file a suit, which will undoubtedly be settled out of court by Seaworld, and the little girl will never take responsibility for disobeying the instructions.
Really; if you're feeding an animal, do you have to be warned that the animal may try to snatch the food? If you are, and you get bitten through your own fault, should the attraction be held accountable? Maybe the answer is to ban all petting zoos and childrens' animal exhibits?
I saw it on the news. The fact that the Dolphin let her go quickly and didn't bite down terribly hard tells me it knew it didn't have food in it's mouth. My own dogs have grabbed me going for a tug, ball, whatever but knew before they broke the skin that is was god they had in their mouth. Does it hurt? Yep, but no damage because I don't jerk away from it. That's where most of a dog bite damage comes from. The pulling away.
The child's arm was between the food and the Dolphin. Bad presentation but it's a kid! What can you expect?!
Unintentional bite from the dolphin? Probably, but still a serious event. It's a wild animal no matter how good the training.
Parents irritate me. I would be concerned if my child were bit BUT I also would have been right beside her making sure she was feeding in a safe manner. The dad was more focused on recording the SeaWorld moment than helping his daughter. Dumb. I would have gotten after mine for not following the rules.
Billy Shaw Webboard User Reg: 11-06-2012
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So many ways to respond to how stupid this is, but being fortunate enough to have played with many pods of Pacific White Sides in the wild while working as a commercial diver, I can only say the biggest shame is that this dolphin was put in this situation to begin with.
Maybe I can find a lawyer to sue the Stellar Sea Lion that broke my ribs Or the wolf Eel that bit me, I still have the scar LOL.
Elaine Haynes Webboard User Reg: 08-16-2005
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Quote: Billy Shaw
So many ways to respond to how stupid this is, but being fortunate enough to have played with many pods of Pacific White Sides in the wild while working as a commercial diver, I can only say the biggest shame is that this dolphin was put in this situation to begin with. Maybe I can find a lawyer to sue the Stellar Sea Lion that broke my ribs Or the wolf Eel that bit me, I still have the scar LOL.
Hmmm, we have a Pekingnese that "studied" law with my niece. Maybe she could take your case.
CJ Barrett Webboard User Reg: 04-19-2009
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Gosh, while no unsolicited bites are ever fun, when we get up close and personal, playing with animals, the mouth (teeth), like any other body part, can connect.
Like Bob says, that was not a malicious attack in any sense of the word.
Like riding a bike. Hands on handle bars but if you stop quickly you may find them in your ribs. The bikes not at fault, the actions driving it were.
And while a dolphin is no comparison to a bike, it looks like they let just about anyone play with one.
Quote: Duane Hull
Maybe the answer is to ban all petting zoos and childrens' animal exhibits?
I like this answer.
Animals on exhibition is never about the animal and more about how many ways can we exploit them. Taking advantage of the dolphin's humble, good nature like this does nothing for education, simply makes another home video with a been there, done that attitude.
Not something I would pay a dime for. Now a relocation mission to set these guys free, I'd be investing every dime I could spare.
Duane Hull Webboard User Reg: 09-23-2011
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Quote: ian bunbury
can't legislate against stupidity . . .
the dad only had to review his own video to see she wasn't about to get pulled into the water .
But Ian;
If he doesn't say that, and the mom doesn't allege negligence on the part of the staff, there is no basis for a large lawsuit. The injury is not substantial enough to merit a big settlement on its' own; they have to throw in some trauma for good measure.
My favorite part is how they're the only ones, of hundreds that go there, that weren't warned about picking up the trays. Of course... they have to deny that, too.
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Or the wolf Eel that bit me, I still have the scar LOL.
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