PPM Version:
It's ILLEGAL to ride a manatee. They're sweet and gentle and can't protect themselves, so the law protects them. A woman in Florida didn't know that . . . and on Sunday afternoon she was photographed taking a JOYRIDE on a manatee's back. That's a second-degree misdemeanor that could get her up to 60 days in jail. The cops are looking for her.
Full Story:
Manatees are beautifully ugly and gentle animals. And because they're not particularly good at protecting themselves, there are laws set up to protect them. In Florida it's illegal to, quote, "annoy, molest, harass, or disturb" a manatee.
--This woman did NOT know that.
--On Sunday afternoon a woman was photographed taking a JOYRIDE on a MANATEE'S BACK in Fort De Soto, Florida.
--She's not exactly a small woman either but the police say it doesn't appear the manatee she rode was hurt.
--The police are looking for her. She's facing a second-degree misdemeanor charge for manatee riding which is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
(--Here are some photos of the woman riding the manatee.)
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