PORT ORANGE, Fla. (AP) -- A man hit his girlfriend with a 3-foot
alligator and threw beer bottles at her during an argument in the
couple's mobile home, authorities said.
David Havenner, 41, was ordered held without bond Saturday on misdemeanor charges of battery and possession of an alligator.
The alligator, which Havenner had been keeping in his bathtub, was turned over to Florida wildlife officials.
Nancy Monico, 39, told investigators that Havenner beat her with
his fists, then grabbed the alligator and swung it at her as she tried
to escape, sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said. She said the animal
hit her at least once. She also told authorities that Havenner threw
empty beer bottles at her, Davidson said.
Havenner's version of the story differed. He told investigators
that Monico bit his hand because she was upset that they had run out of
alcohol.
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