Man reaches under car and gets bitten by alligator

[November 13, 2009]  LAND O'LAKES, Fla. (AP) -- A Pasco County man was bitten by an alligator that had parked itself under his car.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said 38-year-old Joseph Cannistra saw something lying under his car early Sunday morning. Thinking it was his dog, Cannistra reached underneath and was bitten on his hands by an alligator.

Cannistra was treated and released from University Community Hospital with stitches in both hands.

The 5-foot alligator was captured by wildlife officers and will be euthanized since it was injured during the capture.

[Associated Press]

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