Steve Irwin controversy

Crikey - Crikey
United States
December 14, 2006 2:04pm CST
Are you familiar with Steve Irwin and the Crocodile Hunter show and the controversy? Here's the info. Steve died on Sept. 4 of this year, after being stung in the chest by a stingray. Some controversy arose during a public show on January 2, 2004, when Irwin carried his one-month-old son, Bob, in his arm whilst hand-feeding a chicken carcass to Murray, a 3.8-metre (12.5-foot) saltwater crocodile. The infant was close to the crocodile, and comparisons were made in the press to Michael Jackson's dangling his son outside a German hotel window (in the attempt to present his son to the crowd of fans).[25] In addition, child welfare groups, animal rights groups, and some of Irwin's television viewers criticised his actions as irresponsible and tantamount to child abuse.[26] Despite public outcry by some in Australia and abroad, Irwin refused to apologise for the incident. Both he and his wife publicly stated that Irwin was in complete control of the situation, as he had dealt with crocodiles since he was a small child, and based on his lifetime of experience neither he nor his son were in any danger. Terri Irwin claimed their child was in no more danger than one being taught to swim. No charges were filed; according to one journalist, Irwin told officials he would not repeat the action.[27] The incident prompted the Queensland government to change its crocodile-handling laws, banning children and untrained adults from entering crocodile enclosures.[28]
2 responses
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
14 Dec 06
People will do much more, just because they want to be famous. Yes, it was absolutly child abuse and mormal people will not do it.
• United States
14 Dec 06
I agree, child abuse!
• Canada
14 Dec 06
I heard that a while back. I find that its completly irresponsible and uncaring. He should have been fined. When asked about this, Steve Irwin said that his dad had done the exact same thing when he was a child and that he felt his child was to follow in his footsteps.
• United States
14 Dec 06
Well, if that's the case, then his child is going to end up getting stung by a sting ray, not a legacy I'd want to pass on to my child. I was suprised when I read that his wife agreed with him, I couldn't believe it! It's horrible. I would have beat him to a pulp if it were my child.