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St. Cloud Closes Lake Swimming Areas After Alligator Attack

August 8th, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando- A 9 year old boy is recovering from bite wounds after being attacked by an alligator in St. Cloud Thursday.

James Barney Junior was swimming in a restricted area in Lake Toho when the alligator attacked.

In a press conference at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, the 9 year old said he hit the alligator to make it let go.

Doctors later found a tooth in one of his wounds.

“The tooth was pretty big, I wanted to keep it, but animal control came in and took it so they could find the alligator that attacked me," said Barney. 

Doctors said he had about 30 different teeth marks from the attack.

Animal control estimated the gator was about 9 feet long.

St. Cloud city officials say Barney was not in one of the marked swimming areas when he was attacked. 

Still, the city has closed all of its lake front swimming areas while trappers search for the alligator. 

 

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