LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- A North Fort Myers man has created a Change.org petition hoping to get unattended baited hooks banned for trapping alligators.
Vince Rose runs a crocodile sanctuary with his wife in Belize. He said there's several other methods trappers can use that are safer for both the animal and people.
"That is an unacceptable method to take any animal. It's not safe and it's inhumane," said Rose.
In an email response to Rose, Florida Fish and Wildlife said the method has been proven to be safe and effective of the program's 40 year history.
However, Rose isn't taking that response for an answer. He said in his decades of experience, leaving an unattended baited hook is not as effective as several other methods he uses.
"These are not new techniques, but they are techniques that work in keeping the animal safe and they work much faster I've learned than an unattended hook," said Rose.
FWC responded to Rose's ideas by saying, "The methods that you use to capture crocodiles are unique and not well suited for the 100-plus trappers that we currently have under contract. Best of luck to you with your crocodile sanctuary.
"A child could get ahold of that and get its finger stuck on it and now you have that issue, your dog. It's completely unacceptable I can't believe they even think that's a correct answer to the situation," said Rose.
CLICK HERE for the petition.
