Girl bitten while feeding dolphin at SeaWorld
ATLANTA (AP) - An 8-year-old Georgia girl says it "really, really hurt" when a dolphin snatched her hand in its mouth while she fed the animal as part of an attraction at SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla.
Jillian Thomas of Alpharetta said she raised the paper carton she was holding, and "when the dolphin saw that, it leaped at me and bit me, ate the carton."
"It really, really hurt," Jillian said in an interview Monday with ABC's "Good Morning America."
Jillian suffered three puncture wounds to her hand. Her father Jamie Thomas, who was with her at the theme park when the dolphin lunged from its pool Nov. 21, described his reaction as: "Instant fear."
After his initial thought that he might have to dive into the tank to rescue his daughter, a SeaWorld employee offered to help.
"They asked if she wanted first aid, and I said 'she's bleeding' so yes, we want first aid," he recalled.
Jillian held two dolphin stuffed animals as she recounted the ordeal, saying she hoped the dolphin didn't get sick from eating the paper carton. She's prayed for the animal at night, she said.
The paper cartons are used to hold fish children and others feed the dolphins. Jillian's parents say park-goers may not realize the risk involved in feeding dolphins, which is why they posted video of the Nov. 21 bite to YouTube, so parents can decide for themselves whether it is safe.
SeaWorld officials said in a statement that the safety of their guests is paramount, and they are taking the situation seriously.
"Educators and animal care staff are always on-site at this area, monitoring all interactions and are committed to guest safety," SeaWorld said in the statement.
"Educators and animal care staff were at the attraction when this happened and immediately connected with the family," SeaWorld said. "In addition, a member of our health services team was in the area at Dolphin Cove and quickly responded and treated the young girl."
Jillian Thomas of Alpharetta said she raised the paper carton she was holding, and "when the dolphin saw that, it leaped at me and bit me, ate the carton."
"It really, really hurt," Jillian said in an interview Monday with ABC's "Good Morning America."
Jillian suffered three puncture wounds to her hand. Her father Jamie Thomas, who was with her at the theme park when the dolphin lunged from its pool Nov. 21, described his reaction as: "Instant fear."
After his initial thought that he might have to dive into the tank to rescue his daughter, a SeaWorld employee offered to help.
"They asked if she wanted first aid, and I said 'she's bleeding' so yes, we want first aid," he recalled.
Jillian held two dolphin stuffed animals as she recounted the ordeal, saying she hoped the dolphin didn't get sick from eating the paper carton. She's prayed for the animal at night, she said.
The paper cartons are used to hold fish children and others feed the dolphins. Jillian's parents say park-goers may not realize the risk involved in feeding dolphins, which is why they posted video of the Nov. 21 bite to YouTube, so parents can decide for themselves whether it is safe.
SeaWorld officials said in a statement that the safety of their guests is paramount, and they are taking the situation seriously.
"Educators and animal care staff are always on-site at this area, monitoring all interactions and are committed to guest safety," SeaWorld said in the statement.
"Educators and animal care staff were at the attraction when this happened and immediately connected with the family," SeaWorld said. "In addition, a member of our health services team was in the area at Dolphin Cove and quickly responded and treated the young girl."
Shoot the kid, it's obvious she is in too much pain to go on...
First off...there are signs at feeding areas that tell you on what not to do...secondly, staff also mention to not hold feeding containers near where animals might leap to take the goodies. In listening to the mother speak, I just wanted to scream!! "No one even came to offer a cleaning antiseptic or bandage or to even look at the wounds!!" OH PLEASE!!! They aren't doctors...and if you were so concerned, why didn't you grab your daughter and run to the nearest emergency room?!??? These parents need to get in line right behind the mother at the Penn. Zoo who stood her 2 year old on a viewing fence where he promptly fell in and got mauled to death. I canNOT believe that parents are that stupid. Ok...'nuff said. STOP BEING STUPID!
 @fracas Sure there are...lots and lots of parents too busy with their phones or televisions or computers or lattes or whatever to be parents. Back when we had the big flood in '96 and they had that wall of plywood and Jersey barriers along the seawall, there were little kids playing on top of the barrier. All they had to do was slip and they would have been gone. I heard an estimate that the water was moving through Portland at something like 235,000 cubic feet per second. Some people are simply too stupid to be parents, but somehow still manage to breed.
I, too, hope they don't sue. I hope the girl just learned, "Don't do stuff like that. Pay attention."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Retarded people really make me sad I live in this country. If the staff told you, "LEAVE THE PAPER CONTAINER ON THE WALL" That means leaves the goddamn paper container on the bloody wall!!!!!!!!!!!! There doesnt need to be any disclosures or warning or anything else if idiots would actually DO AS THEY ARE BLOODY TOLD!!!!!! This moron should be banned from going to public places.
And if anyone thinks to blame the dolphin you're clearly messed up in the head. I know the previous posters havent stated anything bad about dolphins, but you can clearly tell the Dolphin (which is far more intelligent than most humans it would appear) clearly realized the mistake and let go, her hand didnt slip out, the Dolphin had to open his/her mouth for the wounds to be puncture only and not tears, which if you look at her hand, there is no tearing at all, purely punctures.
The first thing in my mind was "uh-oh, law suit" as well, but there's no mention so I won't castigate the girl and her family for it being their fault. Â I can imagine that it would hurt and I wouldn't want my daughter bitten by anything or anybody. Â Having said that, I hope they don't attempt to sue and that the girl's hand heals nicely.
Pretty simple, if you do not want kids to get bit, dont keep animals captive. Zoos and the like are all horrible! Saving animals from extinction is one thing, but to cage them up just for your pleasure, well, you get what you deserve. No sympathy.
you just KNOW this kid's parents are going to sue. It's too bad too, because that will teach his youngster how to be a dips**t and to litigate whenever the opportunity crops up. Sad.Â
I hand feed treats to my dog occasionally and while it is amazing at times what she can catch in her mouth, there have been times when she has accidently bit the hand that feeds her in her enthusiastic attempt to get the treat. It happens. If you cant deal with it, stay away from ALL animals (including pets).
The dark side of dophindom rears it's ugly face. Â
I would be curious to know what the dolphin was thinking immediately prior to the incident (because  'dolphins are intelligent animals [so too are humans..supposedly.. but that's a completely different story).
Knowing a little about dolphins and much more about humans, my initial sympathy is biased toward the dolphins. After all, the humans captured the dolphins and threw them in this artificial home for their entertainment and viewing pleasure -- not the other way around.
OK, having got that sarcasm off my chest, I'll more seriously add: I hope the girl is ok.