Girl Bitten by Dolphin at Sea World!

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If the parents acknowledged that they know the incident happened because a very important rule was not followed and said they don't intend to sue, then I wonder why they have chosen to go to the media

By doing so, they are quite obviously expecting "something" from SeaWorld. Perhaps not a financial settlement gleaned from a lawsuit, but they are expecting something.

Did you notice, on the Good Morning America story, they referred to the incident as an "attack"?

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blog...sea-world-171256376--abc-news-topstories.html

I can't in any way view what happened as an attack. That little girl was at a dolphin feeding area, the dolphin tried to feed from the empty tray by grabbing it in its mouth (when she held the tray in the air, which is expressly not permitted), and in the attempt to grab the tray, the dolphin's teeth punctured her hand. An attack? Good grief.

 

[tazlikesrobots]

I hate to say this but they told her not to do it. I think people need to start paying attention to instructions. Just remember these are animals.

Completely agree!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

By doing so, they are quite obviously expecting "something" from SeaWorld. Perhaps not a financial settlement gleaned from a lawsuit, but they are expecting something.

Did you notice, on the Good Morning America story, they referred to the incident as an "attack"?

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/video-dolphin-bites-8-old-girl-sea-world-171256376--abc-news-topstories.html

I can't in any way view what happened as an attack. That little girl was at a dolphin feeding area, the dolphin tried to feed from the empty tray by grabbing it in its mouth (when she held the tray in the air, which is expressly not permitted), and in the attempt to grab the tray, the dolphin's teeth punctured her hand. An attack? Good grief.

I didn't catch that when I watched the GMA interview. This definitely wasn't an attack and the dolphin didn't intentionally bite the girl. This is what I meant in my last post that when most people see that video and don't know the story behind it, they are just going to see a little girl getting bitten and have misguided assumptions. I feel bad that the little girl had to experience that and I am sure it was a scary ordeal, but the way the parents are portraying this isn't right or fair. I am ready to book a trip to Sea World to show them my support!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

What a sad world we live in, though, where the party who is not at fault is compelled to provide restitution to someone who didn't follow the rules (which were clearly stated) and was harmed as a result.

SeaWorld was not in the wrong. The young child made a mistake, and suffered the natural consequences of her error. Life lesson here......or should have been.

I don't think it matters what kind of safety measures or rules are put into place, people will abuse them, circumvent them, or, in this little girl's case, let their excitement take over and simply forget them. Whether intentional or not intentional, why should SW (or any other park) end up compensating for an action they counselled guests NOT do do?

I totally agree with you. Unfortunately we have an extremely litiigious society which has been taught that nothing is ever their fault and they are entitled to something.

There are similar events on cruise critic where someone jumps overboard and the ship should have nets to protect, should not have served alcohol, should have cameras and someone manning 24/7 to catch someone, etc. Never the person who chose suicide's fault but the ship's. Last week someone jumped off a ship and a lawyer site announced the disappearance and gave the number of overboards that were not solved in the last few years, pointing blame on the cruise line. They have now been retained by the family. Makes me sick.

 

[anthony2k7]

The parents own video ends with this text:
"Thank God it didn't pull her into the water. It's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured at this attraction".

That sounds to me that they clearly lay blame with Seaworld and it certainly hints they'll sue.


I hope Seaworld counter sue for misuse of their logo!

 

[Escape Artist]

They make it very clear that the trays are not to be off of the ledge, so what is a ledge underneath the top of the wall going to do? The parents and kid didn't do what they were supposed to do. No matter what SW does, they would still would choose not to follow the RULES!!!!

Good designers use their designs to enhance environmental safety all the time. Most people just aren't aware of the factors that have gone into what's all around them, until it's specifically pointed out. Think about it sometime as you're walking around various theme parks - it's one of the ways you can tell a good theme park from a lousy one.

It's smart to let design help solve problems - and it's a lot more reliable than counting on human nature. Even little things make big differences. Relying on human nature--or good parenting in a public environment--doesn't solve anything here. It will just get things shut down, which none of us want.

 

[RabFlmom]

What a sad world we live in, though, where the party who is not at fault is compelled to provide restitution to someone who didn't follow the rules (which were clearly stated) and was harmed as a result.

SeaWorld was not in the wrong. The young child made a mistake, and suffered the natural consequences of her error. Life lesson here......or should have been.

I don't think it matters what kind of safety measures or rules are put into place, people will abuse them, circumvent them, or, in this little girl's case, let their excitement take over and simply forget them. Whether intentional or not intentional, why should SW (or any other park) end up compensating for an action they counselled guests NOT do do?

Yep, it was excitement on the girl's part and I am thinking maybe had the mom or dad been standing next to and watching over the girl to make sure she followed the rules, this would not have happened. We always stood next to each our sons to make sure they didn't lift up the tray or dangle the fish to make the dolphin come out of the water. I would have been there making sure she didn't have to pick up the empty tray to show me she didn't have fish. I would have already known. But then I was a mom who held their hands walking in parking lots which doesn't always happen in this day and age either. <g>

 

[angelmom27]

I am sure that was scary for the girl but I feel sorry for the poor dolphin and sea world. Everyone likes to twist a small accident into a big deal. Hope no big changes happen.

 

[dizneyprincess1]

Here's a concept, the parents take responsibility for being negligent and not listening to the rules whether you know why they have that rule or not. Sea world or the dolphin is not at fault...

 

[goofyfigment]

When my daughter was 4 she was picked to be part of the dolphin show and i had to sign a release, do they do that for the dilphin

 

[goofyfigment]

Sorry i hit send too soon. Do you have to sign a release to feed the dolphins

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

I am sorry this happened to her, but to seem shocked that a dolphin could bite while dangling a fish for him??.....DUH! I am sure the family will sue...

I hope the little girl is ok.

 

[Escape Artist]

I am sorry this happened to her, but to seem shocked that a dolphin could bite while dangling a fish for him??.....DUH! I am sure the family will sue...

I hope the little girl is ok.

You need to watch the video. After the girl was *finished* feeding the dolphins, she lifted up her paper tray where the dolphin could see it. Lifting the trays is against the rules, and incited the incident.

We don't like to blame children for their immature actions, but she did wrong and the dolphin behaved predictably. My dogs at home would do the same thing.

 

[angelmom27]

That part that makes me think they will sue is at the end when they are trying to hide the camera and move her hand in front of it. You can hear them say we just want to see what it looks like. Yeah so you can have evidence to try and sue.

 

[angelmom27]

Sorry i hit send too soon. Do you have to sign a release to feed the dolphins

No there is no release to feed the dolphins.

 

[RabFlmom]

No there is no release to feed the dolphins.

I am trying to remember what the signs say when you buy the fish.....buying the fish may imply the consent.
Was looking for a picture but so far none of the sign s found.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I first fed the dolphins at Orlando Sea World nearly 35 years ago. The park was not new, & there were other SW parks b4 Orlando ... It is IMPOSSIBLE for me to believe that this is the first time a child has been accidentally bitten by one of these animals.

I work at an attration where we too have hand feeding of some large animals. Accidental contact happens - a lot!

So what's different?

YOUTUBE!

What are we going to do? Close down every petting zoo because the goats chew loose shoe laces?

 

[trouttigger]

When I watched the youtube video, at the end, another video of another girl being bitten came up. So, no, not the first time. I watched it also, and it was another example of a child acting thoughtlessly and not being corrected by the parent.

 

[Jenny3]

Wow. I sure do hope the girl is okay, but this would not have happened if she would have followed the rules! Or if the parents made sure she did.

I find it ridiculous that the parents are saying there should be an age limit on this attraction. Their daughter was 8. Not 2, FCOL. An 8 y/o is old enough to understand rules, follow directions and have respect for the animals. Which is what this is. An animal. With teeth.

I really hope they don't sue.

Edited to add that after watching the video again, it bugs me that the mom tells the girl that "we won't show anyone" her hand after the girl doesn't want to. Then puts it on youtube. Jerk

 

[Capt_BJ]

I find it redic' that major news organizations flew the family to New York to appear on TV and sensationalize the non-issue . . . the family has already made a profit from their st ...... sorry change that to actions.