A dolphin bit an 8-year-old Alpharetta girl at SeaWorld Orlando recently. Her family captured the incident on video and has posted it on YouTube.
In a YouTube post, father Jamie Thomas explains that his daughter, Jillian, was bitten by the dolphin while they were visiting SeaWorld on Nov. 21. His daughter was feeding the dolphin when the incident occurred.
The video, which ajc.com obtained from Channel 2 Action News, shows the dolphin lunging toward Jillian and snapping its snout around the girl's hand as her face contorts with pain and fear.
The girl suffered minor injuries, according to her father.
Thomas told the Orlando Sentinel that Jillian suffered three puncture wounds the size of dimes and her hand became swollen. The cuts are healing, but Thomas told the newspaper he and his wife are unhappy with the way SeaWorld employees seemed to trivialize the bite.
He wrote that he posted the video so other parents “can make an informed decision about whether or not the risks to yourself or your child are worth the experience.”
SeaWorld issued a statement regarding the incident.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our guests, employees and animals. Educators and animal care staff are always on-site at this area, monitoring all interactions and are committed to guest safety. Educators and animal care staff were at the attraction when this happened and immediately connected with the family. In addition, a member of our health services team was in the area at Dolphin Cove and quickly responded and treated the young girl. The video had not been previously shared with us and we have not a chance to assess it but certainly take the situation seriously.”
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