Deputies Rope & Handcuff 7-Foot Alligator Near Florida School

Deputies in Florida had to handcuff a rather unusual suspect -- a 7.5-foot-long alligator. Three deputies in a Tampa-area school trapped an alligator roaming lounging against a wall near the Forest Lakes Elementary school Monday morning. A crossing guard at a Tampa-area school spotted the gator around the time children would be walking to school. She immediately called the deputies, who called a trapper when they arrived. The trapper wasn't able to get to the area right away, and the alligator started moving toward the intersection where kids were crossing to get to school, according to the sheriff's office. The deputies roped the gator's neck and tail as the animal rolled and thrashed, its tail breaking off chunks of stucco from a nearby wall. Deputies later secured the gator's mouth with electrical tape and handcuffed its hind legs. Florida Fish and Wildlife officials took custody of the animal until the trapper arrived. Fox

This may start a new headin' & heelin' event. I expect Denny Gentry will be promoting this at the World Series of Team Roping finals. I'm sure Gator Ropes will be a big sponsor.

A friend and I were discussing the pro's, con's and possible problems with gator roping this afternoon, and he later sent the following:

A common problem for team roping producers is: what to do with corriente cattle once they get too big. Cattle are forced to be slaughtered and eaten by the same ropers that tormented them during their earthly days. Luckily for gators there is a reptile rescue for gators in Mosca, Colorado. Established in 1990, on an old tilapia farm and fed by geo-thermal hot springs. Here the gators can live out their lives in comfort and ease. There is even a “gator rodeo” for reptile reminiscing about the old days when they out ran the ropers. All of this is true, although I can’t believe someone actually has gators near Alamosa.

Do ya think he is kidding? Then go check out Colorado Gator & Reptile Park

My friend also said there would be a place for the gators to go prior to final retirement:

As the gators age and become slower, they are relegated to serve as roping stock in “businessmen’s" roping around the country. These older, more sophisticated gentlemen really like the handbags, wallets, boots and briefcases given away as prizes.

As a former roper though, I know there are many questions about gator roping that need an answer. For instance:

Will this be a team tyin' event rather than team roping? In other words the ropers are tied hard and fast and the header dismounts and ties a square knot (rather than handcuffs) on the hind legs?

Or will it be dally team roping, and if so does the heeler catch the tail (like the deputies) or those short hind legs? How do you make a gator "hop" anyway?

Will Gentry have to modify the settings on the WS Barrier for gator ropings?

Will corriente gators from Mexico turn out to be superior to the Florida variety?

How much will you have to pay the guys in the strippin' chute?

Clem McSpadden used to have big pasture ropings, so couldn't we do the same with gators? I would propose the ropings be held in a Wildlife Refuge. Hey Gentry, I'd be glad to help you on that one. Just call Obama and tell him you're a community organizer from Crow Flats and I'm sure you'll get it approved right away.