State investigating local airboat captain

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EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. – The state is investigating a local airboat captain after a teenager may have gotten bit or scratched by a raccoon during a tour this week.

“It looked like just a little simple scratch,” said Eddie Rewis Jr., owner of Totch’s Airboat Tours.

Rewis was there this week when a teenaged customer said she might have been scratched or bit by a raccoon.  He told her group he had to get them help.

“If this is a raccoon, this is serious.  I’m going to call 911 and report,” said Rewis.

But, he says the girl didn’t stick around for paramedics and instead the group drove to the hospital themselves. State wildlife officers are now investigating the incident.

Other tour guides tell WINK News the girl may have been attacked because the captain was feeding raccoons. Rewis says his company has a strict policy against it.

“When you start feeding wildlife, it changes their lifestyle just like humans,” said Rewis.

He’s so serious about the policy, he even has signs posted on his wall.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers write 25 citations each year for people feeding animals. Officers say tour guides do it for better tips. Not only is it illegal, it can be very dangerous.

In 2012, an alligator bit the hand off airboat captain Wally Weatherholt because he was feeding it.

“If you don’t feed them, there’s no problem with attacking because they’re not used to getting food,” said Rewis.

Anyone caught feeding the animals faces up to a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Trust WINK News to bring you the latest on the state’s investigation.

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