Heroic Bystander Saves Handler From Alligator Death Roll

Episode 5 | 11.7.22

Heroic Bystander Saves Handler From Alligator Death Roll

Episode 5 | 11.7.22

Tell Me What Happened, an OnStar podcast

During a child’s birthday party at a local zoo, a standard feeding went wrong when a trainer’s hand ended up in the alligator’s mouth. A quick-thinking bystander jumped in to help.

 

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Lindsay Bull has worked at Scales and Tails for years. 

She has hosted numerous demonstrations with the animals at the facility, but one wrong move can end in disaster. And that’s what happened during a child’s birthday party.

 

The main attraction, a 9-foot-long alligator named Darthgator, mistook Lindsay’s hand for food and then the race was on to save her hand. Thanks to Donnie Wiseman, who attended the birthday party for his niece, Lindsay is still able to use both hands.

 

Since you’re much more likely to come across an aggressive dog than an alligator, we also speak with dog expert Jennifer Shryock about safety tips for kids and dogs.

Download the full transcript of this episode to dive deeper into the story.

Who's in this episode?

Lindsay Bull

Lindsay grew up in Oklahoma City and moved to Provo, Utah, in 2009 to attend college. In addition to being a trainer for Scales and Tails, she is a technical writer and also coaches recreational climbing classes for a local gym. Her passion for animals started early, but she specifically recalls her infatuation with crocodilians beginning with an educational presentation on the reptiles that one of her classmate’s fathers did when she was in kindergarten.

Donnie Wiseman

Donnie, a construction worker for a company in Utah, has been infatuated with reptiles since he was a young child. He has owned an 18-foot python and a 4-foot monitor lizard as well as numerous snakes. He almost didn’t attend the birthday party where Lindsay was attacked, but changed his mind at the last minute.

Jennifer Shryock

Jennifer is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and the founder and owner of Family Paws LLC. She has a certification from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and a special education degree with more than 30 years of experience. Jennifer has served on multiple boards and is a recognized expert on dog and baby/toddler interactions and safety. She lives in Cary, North Carolina, with her husband, four children, three dogs, five cats and two guinea pigs.

Who's in this episode?

Lindsay Bull

Lindsay grew up in Oklahoma City and moved to Provo, Utah, in 2009 to attend college. In addition to being a trainer for Scales and Tails, she is a technical writer and also coaches recreational climbing classes for a local gym. Her passion for animals started early, but she specifically recalls her infatuation with crocodilians beginning with an educational presentation on the reptiles that one of her classmate’s fathers did when she was in kindergarten.

Donnie Wiseman

Donnie, a construction worker for a company in Utah, has been infatuated with reptiles since he was a young child. He has owned an 18-foot python and a 4-foot monitor lizard as well as numerous snakes. He almost didn’t attend the birthday party where Lindsay was attacked, but changed his mind at the last minute.

Jennifer Shryock

Jennifer is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and the founder and owner of Family Paws LLC. She has a certification from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and a special education degree with more than 30 years of experience. Jennifer has served on multiple boards and is a recognized expert on dog and baby/toddler interactions and safety. She lives in Cary, North Carolina, with her husband, four children, three dogs, five cats and two guinea pigs.

Man Smiling in Black Jacket
Man Smiling in Black Jacket

Emergency Aid

Quick-thinking college student comes to the rescue.

Inspired? You can be a good Samaritan too.

With OnStar, you’ve got help when you need it 24/7 — and you can help others 24/7 too. If you see someone who needs help — in a crash, stranded or having an emergency of any kind — push your red Emergency button. We’ll notify the appropriate First Responders. Looking out for each other. It’s one of the absolute best things about being human.