85-year-old woman died Feb. 20 after an alligator grabbed her dog. His mother and dogs were just a few feet away. Observe and photograph alligators only from a safe distance. From 1948 to 2021, 442 unprovoked bite incidents have occurred in Florida. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A lighthouse statue was erected a year later near where the incident happened to honor Lane. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 Updated WebAlligator Data and Reports Alligator management programs implemented by FWC emphasize the conservation of alligator populations for their ecological, aesthetic, and Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Hitting or kicking the alligator or poking it in its eyes may cause it to release its grip. Following the attack, the man was helped by an unnamed person through the densely wooded area to an access road located nearby, before he was transported to a local hospital by the emergency services. Adam Binford, 3, male, was killed while There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. Do not allow pets to swim, exercise or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. The alligator, weighing an estimated 170 pounds, may have had a nest nearby that prompted it to stay close to the area, TCPalm.com reported. A Florida teen is recovering after officials said he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator. 957 0 obj <>stream Very rarely, on average once a year or less (keep in mind there are over 20 million people in Florida living alongside 1.5 million alligators). As far as non-fatal attacks? Maybe 812 per year on average, some of them provoked. Alligators can be potentially dangerous, but compared to some of the larger crocodile species, attacks are very rare. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. 0 FWC removed two alligators nearby, but it's not clear if they were involved. A total of 303 people have received major injuries and 139 have received minor injuries Alligators seldom bite people for reasons other than food, according to the FWC. The 77-year-old woman suffered injuries to her left hand but authorities did not elaborate on the severity of her wounds. The figures are the latest in which numbers are available and may not include incidents still under investigation. The deadliest year on record for deadly alligator attacks was in 1993, when two people were killed. First published on September 18, 2020 / 10:46 AM. Earlier in August, a Texas homeowner called the police for assistance after she found a baby alligator swimming in her hot tub, with the local authorities joking that "the suspect resisted at first but was soon arrested and later released without further incident.". The last reported death associated with an alligator before the attack in St. Lucie County was in 2019. 10. Can't see the report on alligator attacks? Another person was killed by an alligator near a retention pond in South Carolinas Myrtle Beach in June. Johnson, who required 60 stitches, is thankful he still has his leg. They can create problems for people or other alligators along the way. An 85-year old woman was attacked and killed by an alligator on Monday in Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. 10-foot alligator kills an 85-year-old Florida woman who was on a walk with her dog. The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue transported the 34-year-old victim to the hospital, the fish and wildlife commission said, adding that it dispatched a contracted alligator trapper to the lake and is continuing to investigate the incident. 2023 Cable News Network. A witness heard her screams and called 911 before yelling at the monster in an attempt to scare it off. Search for alligator harvest information using the CITES tag number or permit holder name. All Rights Reserved. Twenty-six of the bites resulted inpeople being killed by wild alligators. From the history to the dedicated fans, the amazing cars and everything in between, 12 Hours of Sebring: All Access is an in-depth look at one of the most famous racing events in the world. An aggressive alligator pounced on an elderly woman out for a stroll in her gated Florida community over the weekend, according to state officials. News Alligator attack Alligator Florida A man was taken to a hospital suffering from serious injuries after he was bitten in the arm by an alligator while walking Johnson said his foot slipped in the mud which gave the gator a chance to lunge and attack. Shannon was walking his dog in the park when he walked up to the bicyclist as he was in the water. Never swim outside of posted swimming areas. 5:28 PM EDT, Sun August 7, 2022. The gator eventually released its grip on the woman and slipped back into the water. Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at boat ramps and fish camps; do not throw them in the water. The females are sitting on nests and are particularly aggressive.. In July, an alligator in Florida approached a home in the middle of the night and refused to leave, with the creature thrashing and rolling in an attempt to avoid capture before being taken away from the property. Florida wildlife officials have now killed a nearly 12-foot alligator that swam within inches of a frightened paddleboarder in a popular state park during an encounter in September recorded on video that went viral. Alligators become more active and visible as temperatures go up even higher: https://t.co/u2txFfiBt8 #Florida #alligator pic.twitter.com/jTJKcdXJlH. 11-Foot Alligator Attacks and Kills Florida Woman, 85, Who Was endstream endobj 929 0 obj <. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, San Antonio couple trained dogs with meat to be aggressive before fatal mauling of 81-year-old, My dads dog bit off my nose now I have hair growing on my face, When a bear attacks, dont push a slower friend down, National Park Service says, 81-year-old man mauled to death by dogs IDd as Air Force vet. "I looked and the gator is bee-lining (toward me)," recalled Johnson. Alligators are on the move in Florida. Video released by the agency shows the man on a stretcher being led to a helicopter waiting to take him to a hospital. In 2019, there was one fatality in Florida, five major and five minor alligator bites. September 18, 2020 / 10:46 AM Florida's alligators are more active and territorial during mating season. Other photos showed a bloodied walkway and the large reptile being corralled by a trapper who responded to the scene where two gators were later pulled from the water and had their mouths taped shut. The commission told CBS Miami that an alligator trapper has been dispatched to find the gator but has so far not been able to locate the reptile. "He starts clamping down pretty tight (on my leg) and he started to pull and the next thing I do is, instantly, I poke, I do the eye poke," said. It was taken to a gator farm in Glades County, it's unclear if it will be euthanized. Trappers were called in and they removed the 9-foot-9-inch alligatotr. Please enter valid email address to continue. In 2020, there were eight major and four minor gator bites here. Both his parents rushed to his aid but were unable to save their son. Did you encounter any technical issues? Officials said a nearly 8-foot-long alligator was responsible for the chomp. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. An attack that gained national attention was the death of 2-year-old Lane Graves, which happened almost seven years ago. Female alligators rarely exceed10 feet in length. Officials said a nearly 8-foot-long alligator was responsible for the chomp. The female alligator bit the man after he lost control of his bike and fell about six feet down an embankment into a body of water. Although they do occur, attacks on humans from alligators are rare, and figures by the FWC show that the highest number of bites in a single year is 16, reported in 2001. This story has been shared 140,209 times. A quick-thinking Shannon used his dogs leash as a tourniquet to slow the mans bleeding before he and others pulled him to safety, WPTV reported. If there's an alligator under 4 feet is found in your swimming pool, on your porch, under your car, or in a similar situation, a nuisance alligator trapper can be contacted. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much An estimated 1.3 million alligators are in Florida and can be found in all 67 counties, according to FWC. Thanks for contacting us. The animal was being relocated Monday to a farm near Fort Drum, the outlet reported. As of Monday, the victim was still hospitalized, according to WSVN. What is the largest gator ever caught in Florida? According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee, the state record for the largest alligator caught is 14 feet, 3 1/2 inches, 654 pounds and it was caught in Lake Washington. The Florida conservation commission said in November 2021 there were 442 unprovoked alligator bites in Florida from 1948 to 2021, averaging six a year. Hurricane Kay prompts tropical storm warning for Mexico's Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, I'm a professional cleaner ditch these 4 household products immediately, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Prince Harry says psychedelics are fundamental part of his life, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss planned to tell Ariana Madix about affair. He had a lot of marks all over his leg, but mainly in the upper thigh, witness Charlie Shannon told WPTV. The sound of dogs barking and playing may draw an alligator to thearea. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. In 2021, seven people received major bites and two received minor bites from alligators, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. A man has sustained "serious injuries" to his arm after being attacked by an alligator in Manatee County, Florida. Relocated alligators often try to return to their capture site. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the alligator bit the 14-year-old while he was walking near a pond. Major bites are those in which the victims' injuries required medical care. Alligator bites are most likely to occur in or around water. Officials said a nearly 8-foot-long alligator was responsible for the chomp. Johnson said his quick action of poking the gator's eye likely saved his life. In 1977, 13 people received major injuries, followed by 11 in 2001 and 10 in 2017. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. We've received your submission. According to officials, the attack happened Tuesday in Charlotte County. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. Another witness said the victim was an avid bike rider who lost control as he rounded a curve and landed right next to the female gator. A man was taken to a hospital suffering from serious injuries after he was bitten in the arm by an alligator while walking through a park on Monday afternoon. Swim only during daylight hours. Female alligators may protect their nests by hissing and opening their mouths to frighten intruders but rarely bite people. The attack comes less than four months after a 14-year-old boy walking near a pond in Charlotte County, Florida, was attacked and injured by a 10-foot alligator. The unnamed victim was walking near a retention pond in the Del Webb community near Bradenton when the assault took place, according to the states Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson Forest Rothchild. A man sustained serious injuries to his arm after being attacked by an alligator in Manatee County, Florida, on Wednesday. It's mating season! A witness to the attack kept an eye on the reptiles whereabouts until a trapper arrived and was able to remove it, according to WSVN. An alligator bit a mans face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The attack at Halpatiokee Regional Park in A 9-foot-long alligator attacked man at a Florida park after he fell into the water while riding a bike, authorities said. Johnson said Rex was not hurt in the attack. Spanish Lakes Fairways residents said the alligator grabbed the woman's dog and she struggled to get the dog away before falling victim herself. The commission's website states that an alligator is considered a nuisance in Florida "if it is at least 4 feet in length and the caller believes it poses a threat to people, pets or property.". If an alligator bites you, the best thing to do is fight back, providing as much noise and resistance aspossible. In November 2020, Richard Wilbanks, 74, had to jump into the pond behind his Florida home to fight off an alligator who attacked his puppy Gunner. And a Florida man was killed by an alligator while searching for Frisbees in a lake in late May. %PDF-1.6 % Method 3 Method 3 of 3: Surviving Alligator Encounters Download ArticleRun directly away from an alligator. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to get away from an aggressive alligator or youre being chased by an Poke them in the eye. If an alligator clamps down on you, a loved one, or a pet, you may be able to make them release their clutch by Thrash around. Make a lot of noise. More items Never remove an alligator from its natural habitat or accept one as a pet. Alligators are a common sight around Florida, although the number of attacks, especially fatal ones, is low. Seek immediate medical attention if bitten by an alligator. Wildlife officials reminded Floridians that as temperatures go up, alligators become more visible. He was aggressive," he said. For that reason, it is illegal to feed wild alligators. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. There were 12 attacks on humans in 2020, but none of them were fatal. Lake Thonotosassa is in Hillsborough County, near Tampa. However, they can lunge at prey within a few feet of the shoreline. Oct 13, 2020 at 12:56 pm. [RELATED: Florida woman discovers alligators fighting at her home]. Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water. The agency recommends people stay away from alligators and avoid handling or feeding them. A man suffers 'serious injuries' after being attacked by an alligator in Florida. Handling even small alligators can result in injury. Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Wild Alligator Harvests by Harvest Program, Table of officially-measured, large Florida alligators, Alligator Meat Processors and Hide Buyers, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. "This gator was coming in fast. An alligator, 4 to 7 feet long, dragged the victim under water in the Seven Seas A contracted nuisance alligator trapper captured the alligator, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "I had to do something, that's why I say you have seconds to react," he said. According to the report, which is embedded below, there were 9 alligator bites reported in 2021, 12 in 2020, 10 in 2018 and 2019, and 12 in 2017. Farmers want Biden to pay for damage done from illegal imm Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, I'm a professional cleaner ditch these 4 household products immediately, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Prince Harry says psychedelics are fundamental part of his life, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss planned to tell Ariana Madix about affair. "The lighthouse sculpture has been installed to help spread awareness of the Lane Thomas Foundation, which was established to provide assistance and support to families whose children need organ transplants,'' a Disney spokesperson toldUSAT TODAY. The attack at Halpatiokee Regional Park in Stuart at about 11 a.m. Monday left the bicyclist, whose name wasnt immediately released, with serious injuries, according to the Martin County Sheriffs Office. Alligator bites often result in serious infection. File photo of an alligator with jaws open wide at Everglades National Park. The mans condition was not immediately released, but witnesses told reporters the victim had several wounds to his leg. When alligators seize prey they cannot easily overpower, they will often let go and retreat. Wildlife officials investigate woman's death in 'alligator bite incident' at golf community, Officials recover body of toddler after attack at Disney resort, Florida has averaged eight unprovoked bites per year, 5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by a Florida alligator, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Be aware of the possible presence of alligators when in or near fresh or brackish water. This is a generic photo of Lake Thonotosassa and does not show the specific site of the attack. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission A 77-year-old woman was attacked by a large alligator in her gated community in Johnson, who required 60 We've received your submission. A total of 303 people have received major injuries and 139 have received minor injuries over the same time period. FOX 35. A Warner Bros. Back in May, a man in Largo was also killed by an alligator. 948 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<0406006ED2ED30458BCB99AEC4E5EEC0>]/Index[928 30]/Info 927 0 R/Length 104/Prev 199246/Root 929 0 R/Size 958/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Twenty-six of the bites resulted inpeople being killed by wild alligators. Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. The gator bit him in the hand and leg. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. There are 1.3 million alligators in all 67 counties of Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, making run-ins an inevitability. He was hanging on roots like five feet below, Shannon told the station. In July, an elderly woman died after falling into a lake and being grabbed by two alligators in Florida. They can be found in practically all fresh and brackish water bodies and occasionally in salt water. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. A total of 9,442 nuisance alligators were killed in 2021, the commission says. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. It is the policy of the commission to remove an alligator deemed a nuisance and relocate it to a remote area away from people. It was hard to get him out.. Florida Fish and Wildlife contracted a nuisance alligator trapper which removed the gator and transferred it to an alligator farm. A bicyclist was attacked by an alligator in Florida on Monday after an accident sent him into the water, the Martin County Sheriff's Office said. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, San Antonio couple trained dogs with meat to be aggressive before fatal mauling of 81-year-old, My dads dog bit off my nose now I have hair growing on my face, When a bear attacks, dont push a slower friend down, National Park Service says, 81-year-old man mauled to death by dogs IDd as Air Force vet, according to the Martin County Sheriffs Office, two gators were later pulled from the water, data compiled by the states Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He could have easily started tearing flesh and after the flesh, you're talking bone and twisting and that's a leg removal.". Webdeath was determined to be caused by an alligator and several alligators were removed with the largest one measuring 9' 7" in length. Alligators less than 4 feet in length are not large enough to be dangerous to people or pets, unless handled. "Luckily, he opened up. %%EOF hbbd```b``f+@$Li`r>dV,r&g]`` rn bM@&Ff}D0 ,@ An 85-year-old woman died Feb. 20 after an alligator grabbed her dog in a St. Lucie County community along Florida's East Coast. Alligator bites can result in serious infection, and victims should seek immediate medical attention if bitten. Males get much larger. Gloria Serge's dog survived the attack Monday in Fort Pierce, a state fish and "When you're near or in any body of water in Florida, including sometimes saltwater, there's a very good chance that alligators may be present, so you need to make sure that you are vigilant and keeping a 360 awareness of your surroundings," said FWC spokesman Adam Brown. Today, many residents seek unprovoked alligator incident in Florida is roughly only one in 3.1 million. Nuisance alligators those that are 4 feet or longer and believed to pose a threat to people, their pets or property are trapped and killed by the agency through its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program. In June 2016, Lane was grabbed by an alligator as he played in about a foot of water at the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Orlando. He was able to break free from the beast before crawling away and being helped by a bystander, authorities said. appreciated. The alligator will be trapped and relocated to a nearby alligator farm. But he slid out and the water is literally a couple of feet away and he went right into the water, and just as bad luck would be, the gator was right there, witness Scott Lorraine told WPTV. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The man, William Simmons of Fort Myers, was bitten on Monday while walking in the Wa-Ke Hatchee Park in Lee County, Florida, with the gator causing serious injuries to his left arm, according to local NBC affiliate WFLA. Davidson told TCPalm.com roughly two to three attacks occur annually throughout the state. An alligator bit a man at Lake Thonotosassa in Thonotosassa, Florida, shown in a file photo from February 19, 2020. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water, officials said. Trapper John Davidson said the man did not lose any body parts, ABC News reported. Witnesses called 911 and firefighters recovered the woman's body from a pond. An alligator may be considered a nuisance if it's at least 4 feet in length and believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property. WebFlorida has experienced tremendous human population growth in recent years. Sightings of alligators across southern U.S. states are common and over the last few months several have been reported, as the reptiles thrive in summer conditions but sometimes remain dormant in winter as the cool temperatures slow down their metabolism. / CBS Miami. Although alligators can move quickly on land, they are not well adapted for capturing prey out of the water. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Around 1.3 million alligators live in Florida, in all 67 counties, according to the commission. MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A 14-year-old Florida boy who was attacked by an alligator is recovering in a Tampa hospital. PORT ST. LUCIE (CBSMiami) - Quick actions saved the life of a Port St. Lucie man who was attacked by a large alligator while he was out walking his dog. According to officials, the attack happened Tuesday in Charlotte County. "He actually was able to get to another person that was in that area, and that person was able to get him some help," Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) officer Adam Brown confirmed to the local station on Tuesday. A 9-foot-long alligator attacked man at a Florida park after he fell into the water while riding a bike, authorities said. Discovery Company. Feeding alligators teaches them to associate people with food. An alligator bit a mans face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. 2. Minor bites are those in which the victims' injuries were superficial and required no treatment or only first aid. Most alligators are naturally afraid of humans but may lose that fear when people feed them. Call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Dogs are more susceptible to being bitten than humans because dogs resemble the natural prey of alligators. There were no other alligators in the area fitting the size and description of the responsible alligator, the FWC said, adding that they were confident they had the right assailant. First published on June 3, 2020 / 5:45 PM. Florida Fish and Wildlife contracted a nuisance alligator trapper which removed the gator and transferred it to an alligator farm. 7 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe from Alligators(Maybe) Your Dog Should Skip the Swim. This is on a lake in Oregon where alligators arent present. Off-Leash Isnt an Option. Keeping your dog on-leash is always a great idea when youre exploring a new trail. Bring Along Water and a Travel Bowl. Dont Take Your Eyes Off Your Surroundings. Never Get Between an Alligator and a Body of Water. More items / CBS Miami. An 85-year-old woman died Feb. 20 after an alligator grabbed her dog in a St. Lucie County community along Florida's East Coast. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the Charlotte County teen was splashing along the edge of a lake when he was attacked. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. Alligator management programs implemented by FWC emphasize the conservation of alligator populations for their ecological, aesthetic, and economic values while providing for public use and safety. An 85-year-old woman was killed after an incident involving an alligator Monday in St. Lucie County, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) statement. endstream endobj startxref CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. A Florida teen is recovering after officials said he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator. 700-pound alligator kills Florida woman, 85, who tried to save dog. Johnson said he was near the bank of a canal and yelled at his dog to run. From 1948 to 2021, 442 unprovoked bite incidents have occurred in Florida, 26 of these bites resulted in Thomas Metevia, Digital Content Producer, Orlando. The more than eight-foot gator nearly dragged the 61-year-old into the water, spinning as it maintained a tight hold on Johnson's foot. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, Alligator Found Swimming Hundreds of Miles From Natural Habitat. Newsweek has contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for comment. hb``` eah`c`x m @Yd'K99MZ8Vy 1t00{t00zb@ZEAf33 Mctgh`xq'dJfI~+P0~S@z(H00qzpWK30sBUq & Stay safe:5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by a Florida alligator. Mark Johnson and his dog Rex were behind his home when the gator struck. Alligator attacks in Florida. The name of the 65-acre park where the man was attacked means alligator water among Seminole Indians, the Miami Herald reported. Woman killed saving dog from alligator:Wildlife officials investigate woman's death in 'alligator bite incident' at golf community, Disney alligator attack:Officials recover body of toddler after attack at Disney resort. ightings of alligators across southern U.S. states are common, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10-1/2 inches long) male from Orange Lake in Alachua County. A man was taken to a hospital suffering from serious injuries after he was bitten by an alligator while walking through a park on Monday afternoon. There is a condition, though. You got to be careful when youre around the water, especially this time of year, the 10-year trapping vet said. Link Copied! Of those 928 0 obj <> endobj If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000.