Elderly man bitten by alligator in Fort Bend County
RICHMOND, TX (KTRK) -- Emergency medical crews have been called to the scene of an alligator bite in Fort Bend County. The attack happened at about 11:40am on Sagamore Bay Lane, near Berdett Road, south of Greatwood.
According to the game warden, the 88-year-old man, who had in the past fed alligators in a nearby pond, was cutting weeds at the time he was bitten. He suffered injuries on his hand and leg, and was transported by ambulance to Oak Bend Hospital, listed in stable condition, according to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.
The victim has been identified by his son as KR Smith, seen below.
The game warden says the man told investigators he's been feeding three alligators - 3 feet, 8 feet and 10 feet long. He says the 8-foot-long alligator is the one who bit him.
The game warden adds that feeding gators is not only dangerous, but also illegal.
Despite a large alligator population, alligator attacks on humans are relatively rare in Texas. According to one study, 15 attacks have been reported in Texas since 1948. Alligators can be found in 121 out of 254 Texas counties. Texas Parks and Wildlife receives over 500 calls a year regarding gators.
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