One point that maybe has not yet been made on the question of allowing gators in our ponds:
It is one thing to assume risks for ourselves as individuals, but as PM's are we also so eager to place others that use our ponds, at additional risk? Are we willing to accept the occasional loss of a pet, the possible injury(or worse) to an unsuspecting child. Do we always know of every person who may visit our ponds?
I've taken a lot of personal risks over my lifetime in pursuit of fishing adventures and continue to willingly and eagerly take them. It is a far different question, however, as relates to us as PM's being responsible for the completely unnecessary increase in risks to those who may use our ponds. We have, IMO, a responsibility to make them as safe as we reasonably can do so.
I can see absolutely no justification whatsoever for allowing gators to take habitat in a pond which I am responsible for and which may have children and/or pets that frequent it.
