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Visitor Sues Florida Airboat Company After Alligator Bites His Face

The complaint accuses the operator of failing to train staff or warn guests, raising questions about safety at hands-on wildlife photo experiences.

Overview

  • The suit says an alligator handed to visitor Edil Kasenov bit his face during a free “Alligator Encounter” at Airboat Rides at Midway on June 9, 2025.
  • Kasenov filed a negligence complaint in Orange County on May 20, 2026 seeking more than $50,000 for alleged pain, disfigurement, medical bills and lost wages.
  • The lawsuit alleges the company failed to train or supervise employees, did not post warnings, and did not restrain the animal to protect guests.
  • Airboat Rides at Midway has said staff give handling instructions, uses bands on gators’ mouths, described the injuries as minor scratches and called the suit frivolous.
  • Journalists report competing accounts and the attraction’s own FAQ about banding jaws, and no court ruling, settlement or regulatory action has been reported so far.