Today, while I was waiting for Dear Husband at the doctor’s office, I was watching local news on the television.  At least three times, they showed video of a child at Sea World, feeding the dolphins, and what can go wrong when you do not pay attention.

This eight year old girl and her parents had paid to participate in the Dolphin Experience, where she would have the chance to feed the dolphins.  Her parents were busy video taping their daughter for posterity.  The girl had given her fish to the dolphins.  She had been warned NOT to pick up the white tray the fish came in, but she picked it up. As she turned to her parents, a dolphin lunged to get what it thought was more fish, wrapping it’s mouth around the girl’s hand.  When it realized there were no fish, the dolphin released her and slid back into the water.

Of course, her parents have shared the video with ABC, and it’s gone viral.  I have stopped listening, but by dinner time, I expect to hear of a lawsuit that will put Sea World out of business.

Personally, I think the parents should have been paying closer attention to their daughter.  If they have a child who is incapable of following instructions at eight, perhaps this was not the experience they should have signed up for.  The video I saw showed the girl’s hand following the “bite” and it looked as though there were marks, but very little damage otherwise.  I don’t think her skin was broken.

Prior to feeding the dolphins, instructions were given to all the participants, and they were clearly told, “Do not pick up the tray.  Leave the tray on the edge.”  The dolphins know that their meal arrives on these trays, and they will help themselves when they see the trays.

I’m sure opinion will be divided on this issue, but I think the parents needed to be more responsible  for their daughter.  Here’s the link to the video so that you can decide for yourself:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd_1Oyz_MPs