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Gator attacks man on golf course
Early Edition: The man apparently was preparing to dive into the water to retrieve balls when he was attacked.
By Times staff
Published February 14, 2007
Alligator trapper Mickey Fagan, right, pulls a gator out of a pond on the fifth hole of the Timber Greens Golf Course in New Port Richey on Wednesday. The gator is said to have bit a man collecting golf balls that morning. |  | | [Times photo: Lance Aram Rothstein] |
An alligator attacked a man at about 10 a.m. today at Timber Greens Golf Course in New Port Richey, according to the Pasco Sheriff's Office. The victim was identified as Vernon Messier, 57, who was working at the course as an independent contractor. Messier was attacked on his left foot and suffered non-life threatening injuries, the Sheriff's Office reported.
He was near the fifth hole and was in the water about 10 feet from shore when he was attacked, the report said. Messier apparently was retrieving golf balls and was preparing to dive into the water when he felt the alligator trying to pull him under.
Messier gouged at the alligator's eyes and tried to pry apart his grip from his leg, the Sheriff's Office said.
He refused to be transported by paramedics and said he was going to drive himself to a Tampa area hospital.
[Last modified February 14, 2007, 14:07:21]
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Comments on this article
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by Crystal
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06/26/07 11:14 PM
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And none of you know if he has money or not. If he didn't want to take an ambulance, oh well. Vernon, I pray that you are doing well.
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by Crystal
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06/26/07 11:12 PM
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Ok, maybe he should not have reached in, but that does'nt mean that it's ok to ridicule him. For Christ's sake, the man was just bitten by an alligator. Have a heart and a little sadness for him. You aren't the ones in pain. you
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by steve
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02/16/07 12:39 AM
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Animals were there first and they will be here last.only man
is what will change, think about it!
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by Steve
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02/16/07 12:08 AM
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What makes me mad is they always trap the gator, kill it ,even if it's 100% the humans fault,that he got bit.thats like putting
your hand in a bee hive then getting mad when you get stung
people in Fla,wakeup gators live in water.
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by Caesar
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02/15/07 10:32 PM
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Just think about all of the really cute doggies that that particular alligator must have dined on!
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by Pete
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02/15/07 09:12 PM
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I thnk the time has arrived we stat making alligator purses and shoes again. I already eat alligator and I would dearly love to have an alligator wallet. Hell, I'm gonna catch one someday and make me a wallet and some gator with curly fries........
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by Gator McClusky
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02/15/07 08:34 PM
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If you don't like Gators, don't come to Florida. There are few bodies of water in Florida where they DON'T exist. I've swam near them, boated near them and fished near them. Be more concerned about the Water Moccasins than the Gators.
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by Randy
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02/15/07 07:14 PM
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I can't believe how mean people can be. Don't know Vernon,yet call him idiot.He is one of thousands ball retreavers.Think!Gators are a recent issue. Why? Our guys in Iraq are happy with the balls & clubs he donates and sends.He has ins.Your tax $safe
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by lulu
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02/15/07 06:09 PM
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Mike needs to learn how to spell before he goes and bashes people.
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by Jack
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02/15/07 04:41 PM
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Bite Me
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by mike
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02/15/07 03:02 PM
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people like pat need to retrieve golf balls out of ponds for a living!
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by Rusty
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02/15/07 10:26 AM
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That reminds me of the time I encountered a crocodile on the tennis court, had to whack the sucker with my racket!
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by MARCELL
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02/15/07 10:03 AM
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OK, TREE HUGGERS, LETS LOVE THEM AND PROTECT THE MAN EATERS. WHY NOT PROTECT VIRUSES ALSO WHILE WE'RE AT IT. THEY PROBABLY HAVE FEELINGS ALSO.
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by chris
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02/15/07 09:18 AM
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Tell old Vern its easyer for everyone if he just let us buy uor topflites at the pro shop!THANKS
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by Cheryl
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02/15/07 08:24 AM
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Are you certain this opinions are worth the reprint & web space they take up. The majority of them are very sarcastic
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by Thurston Howell III
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02/15/07 08:22 AM
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Mr. Messier, I feel for you. But I also paid you to get in there and get my Top Flight back. Back in you go!
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by Sandy
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02/15/07 08:06 AM
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IDIOT!
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by Boo Boo
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02/15/07 07:29 AM
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Hope they don't hurt that Gator for that fools incompatance. When will these idoits learn thats is their house and you can't dance there.
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by SHerry
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02/15/07 06:51 AM
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Look at Bay News 9- He did go to the hospital ...Drove himself!
"Messier, 57, was not seriously injured and drove himself to the hospital."
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by Sherry
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02/15/07 06:49 AM
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Charlie you are a real humanitatrian! "That's why he retrieves golf balls, we sure don't want him calculating rocket trajectory do we? " ARE YOU A ROCKET SCIENTIST?"
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by SHerry
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02/15/07 06:48 AM
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Thank YOu for this one Natalia! "Probably didn't have insurance, so he didn't want to pay the several hundred or thousand dollars fee for an ambulance ride." I am sure people in the face of death are worried about money! Pessimist!!!!!!
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by Sherry
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02/15/07 06:46 AM
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Mr. Messier is one stupid person. Just think this man has the right to vote [I bet he voted for G.W.B] and whats more scary he probibly has all ready reproduced! DOES ANYONE ELSE SEE THE IRONY HERE? THANKS MIKE! HAHAHAHA
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by Sherry
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02/15/07 06:45 AM
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It always amazes me that people on message boards are the first to lash out at someones intelligence level, or political affiliation ...note....THIS ONLY MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE THE IDIOT! Usually the ones who do it are the ones w/poor grammar/spelling!
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by Sherry
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02/15/07 06:43 AM
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On so many levels this story is open for ridicule! However, I must add that these guys finding golf balls are making a small fortune. It is unfortunate and you all should be ashamed.
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by gatorlover
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02/15/07 05:47 AM
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LOL..FARKIN idiot.
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by Donald
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02/15/07 04:44 AM
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I see we have no TRUE golfers commenting - the real question: What was his score ? ;-) ;-)
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by dan
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02/15/07 12:29 AM
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im i ur pond chompin ur golfers
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by Scott
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02/14/07 11:32 PM
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You have to do what you have to do to put food on the table. Sounds like the man knew the dangers of the job.
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by EX NYER
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02/14/07 09:25 PM
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GATOR ON A GOLF COURSE??? I,VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY PREFERRED HOCKEY.
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by Diane
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02/14/07 08:31 PM
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The gator did what gators do...
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by Pat
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02/14/07 08:19 PM
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It is people like Mike that make gators attack in the first place
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by alan
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02/14/07 08:16 PM
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He was concerned about the wrong balls.
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by rich
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02/14/07 07:33 PM
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relocate you're buisiness to phoenix the rattlers aren't so dangerous.
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by Bill
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02/14/07 07:16 PM
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Now that's what I call a hazard
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by sparky
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02/14/07 07:16 PM
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hmmm....didnt check fo gators BEFORE he got in ???
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