An Everglades airboat captain was cited for feeding and enticing American alligators with dog biscuits, authorities said.
Robert Earl Goss, also known as "Captain Bob," faces a maximum fine of $500 and up to 60 days in jail, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said.
On Sept. 8, Broward County officers conducted an undercover operation where two of them pretended to be tourists on airboat rides, the FWC incident summary report said. While on the tour, the officers recorded him feeding the alligators with dog biscuits, which he kept in his shirt pocket, the report said.
After the tour, officials reviewed the footage, which showed him throwing the food at the gators, the report said.
"At the same time Goss was discussing how it is illegal to feed alligators. Mr. Goss continued to throw the dog biscuits on both sides of the airboat enticing the alligators to get closer," the report said.
Later that day, the FWC officer went to Sawgrass Recreation Park, where the airboat tour had taken place, and he interviewed Goss as he fueled his airboat. He continuously denied feeding the gators, the report said.
Sawgrass Recreation Park, where he worked as an airboat captain, on Wednesday confirmed to NBC 6 that he was terminated after being cited by the FWC.
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Goss also refused to comment to NBC 6 when reached at his home for comment.
The FWC said Goss will have arraginment, if he pleads not guilty, he will go to court. If he pleads no contest, the judge will make a determination at arraingment.
