By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-12 17:42:50 | Updated at 2026-08-12 18:17:23
46 minutes ago
The son of the Florida grandmother who lost her arm in a savage alligator attack claimed the beasts are getting bolder around humans — because of nitwit tourists and attention-hungry TikTokkers that feed and pet them along the river.
Zach Guerrina — whose mother Dina Spann, 58, became the gator’s midday snack Saturday as she floated in Silver River in Marion County — said he’s swam in the river “hundreds of times” and not once has ever encountered the cold-blooded reptile.
“Growing up in Florida, that has never been a thing. I’m in the water all the time and I’ve never had a gator want to approach,” the 38-year-old said.
“We’ve got a lot of tourists down here and a lot of people that’s moved to Florida that’s never seen an alligator before.
“There’s literally videos of people petting alligators. When you do that, these things lose fear of humans and if it gets close enough to you, it’s gonna bite you.”
Spann — who was swimming in a prohibited area — was left with her right arm “hanging off by a thread” and later had it amputated below the elbow, in addition to losing at least one finger on her left hand, Guerrina said.
He guessed that more attacks are inevitable.
“It’s going to happen again out there, because if they’re feeding them like that, they’re going to come up to you,” he said.
Guerrina –– who was on the day trip with his mom but not present when the gator pounced –– said that after the attack he had been made aware of TikTok clips showing tourists getting overfamiliar with gators while kayaking on the river.
He added that he had been visiting the waterway since he was a kid and his family had floated in it “hundreds of times” before without incident.
The attack came after construction worker Brittany Clark, 31, was killed when a massive 13-foot gator ripped into her arms while she was in in the Econlockhatchee River in Florida’s Seminole County on June 28.
A boy also lost his hand in June after a gator bit him while he was on a fishing trip with his father in Marion County.
An 8-foot, 7-inch gator attacked Brodie Terry, 11, from Pennsylvania, as he was about to release a fish back into the water on June 27.
Spann’s shocked son, who works as a carpenter, said he believes the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) should “absolutely” grant more permits for gators to be hunted.
“There’s too many gators out here,” he said. “We’ve got three people that’s been bit these last weeks –– a kid lost his hand, a girl died and now this.
“I’m not saying eradicate gators but if you’re going to put them somewhere, put them in the marsh.
“If you’re in spring water, you shouldn’t have to be concerned about an alligator.”
Trappers contracted by the FWC caught and removed a 9-foot, 8-inch alligator in the Silver River Sunday, allowing for the river to be reopened to the public.
Guerrina described his mom as a “hippie soul” who loves animals and traveling the world, and added that she had just got back from a trip to Africa when the attack happened.
He previously told The Post she was in “good spirits” despite losing her arm and had remained “cool as a cucumber” through the ordeal.
