Father turns in son who killed alligator with machete, wildlife officials say
Published October 17, 2013
Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. – Florida wildlife officials say a father turned in his 19-year-old son after the teen sent a text message bragging about killing an alligator with a machete.
Alligators can only be killed in Florida by people with certain permits. Otherwise, state law prohibits killing, harassing or possessing alligators.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrested Corey Hardie of Palm Beach Gardens last week on charges that include the illegal killing of an alligator and killing or wounding a protected species.
The Palm Beach Post reports that Hardie posted $6,000 bond Saturday. Jail records did not show whether he had an attorney.
Officials say that Hardie's father alerted them after his son texted a photo Aug. 4 showing him kneeling over an alligator that he said he had killed.
