Man Allegedly 'Bit in Face' by Alligator at Florida Attraction. But Company Claims He's Leaving Out a Big Detail
Man Allegedly 'Bit in Face' by Alligator at Florida Attraction. But Company Claims He's Leaving Out a Big Detail
Colson ThayerFri, June 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM UTC
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L: A handheld alligator; R: An airboat by the shore of an alligator swamp in FloridaCredit: Getty (2) -
Edil Kasenov claims he suffered serious injuries after being bitten during a free alligator encounter in June 2025
He filed a civil complaint against Airboat Rides at Midway in Christmas, Fla. on May 20
The company alleges Kasenov ignored safety instructions by placing his face near the alligator for a family photo
Kasenov is seeking over $50,000 in damages and has accused the attraction of negligence
A Florida man is seeking over $50,000 in damages after allegedly experiencing an alligator bite at a local attraction.
Broward County resident Edil Kasenov filed a civil complaint against Airboat Rides at Midway on May 20. The lawsuit stems from an incident that allegedly occurred during a "free alligator encounter" at the Christmas, Fla., attraction back in June 2025.
Airboat Rides at Midway invites guests to "experience an exhilarating adventure on the legendary St. Johns River," according to the company's website. The central Florida airboat tours are given by U.S. Coast Guard master captains on one of their custom vessels. At the end of the experience, guests can choose to participate in a "free alligator encounter where you can hold an alligator and take pictures."
Tourists cruise the Everglades by airboat.Credit: Getty
Kasenov's complaint alleges that during his alligator encounter on June 9, 2025, he was "bit in the face" by the company's animal, further arguing that handing over the reptile "constituted a dangerous and hazardous condition."
"There were no warnings, signs or other devices to warn or indicate the vicious nature of the subject alligator," Kasenov claims in the complaint. "Additionally, there were no measures used by [the company] to restrain the alligator or otherwise protect [Kasenov]."
As a result of the incident, Kasenov claims to have suffered "serious bodily injuries" including "disability, physical impairment, disfigurement" as well as "loss of wages and expense of hospitalization." He says the losses are "either permanent or continuing."
Kasenov is accusing Airboat Rides at Midway of negligence, seeking over $50,000 in damages plus taxable costs. He is demanding a trial by jury. PEOPLE has reached out to Kasenov's attorney for comment.
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On Airboat Rides at Midway's website, the company writes they "don't tape" the alligators' mouths closed, but they do "put a band around their mouths to prevent any bites."
"They still have their bottom jaws, so DON'T stick your hand or face in or around their heads," the FAQ page reads.
In a statement shared with local outlet Fox 35, the company said "every participant is told to hold the alligator with two hands under the front armpits and the other at the base of the tail. We instruct them to hold the alligator flat and waist to chest level and DO NOT PUT THE ALLIGATOR BY YOUR FACE OR TO PRETEND TO KISS THE ALLIGATOR as they can get startled and swing their head, which is solid bone, hit you in the mouth or face and hurt you."
They further claim Kasenov "did exactly what he was told not to do and stuck his face next to the alligator for a family picture that they requested to be taken and as soon as he put his face by the alligator, it got startled and it swung its head, slapping Mr. Kasenov in the check bone causing some minor scratches. We gave him some ointment and verified that he was ok. He said he was."
PEOPLE has reached out to Airboat Rides at Midway for comment.
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In a translated June 12, 2025, post on Instagram, Kasenov seemingly referenced the incident: "Today I was discharged from the hospital. They gave me an IV. But discipline means that even if you've been bitten by an alligator, even after an IV, even when things are tough, when you have problems, when you're hungry, when you're exhausted — you still go to the gym and train. That's what real discipline is. And only then will you see real results."
on People
Source: “AOL Breaking”
