Man arrested after taunting police while riding a manatee

A homeless man has been arrested after he was spotted climbing all over a group of endangered manatees in Florida.

Dube said that when a witness confronted Massengale about his actions and told him that it’s illegal to touch manatees, Massengale replied, “I’m riding it”, ABC Local 10 News said.

Water palaver: James Roy Massengale Jr, 47, was arrested for allegedly “touching and lying over” manatees in a Florida creek.

Massengale denied being warned away from the protected marine mammal and became “verbally combative”, FWC Officer Bobby Dube, an agency spokesman, said. They were also going to write him a notice to appear in court on a misdemeanor manatee violation, but Massengale said he had no intention of showing up in court and instead continually yelled, “Take me to jail!”

He then was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office.

He is now being held on a $25,000 bond.

Jail records didn’t list an attorney for Massengale.

The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 forbids intentionally or negligently annoying, molesting, harassing or disturbing any manatee.

Those convicted of violating the state law can face up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.