St. Martinville – The Parish Council, meeting in committee Tuesday, recommended that an ordinance be introduced next month making it illegal to feed wild alligators.

This after Kacy Kobrin, representing the foundation that owns Lake Martin, voiced concern that somebody is going to get hurt, perhaps a child.

"People are feeding the alligators, mostly locals," said Kobrin, an employee of the Nature Conservancy.

"We've got alligators snapping at people's tires (as they drive by)," Kobrin said.

The 'gators have lost their natural fear of man and indeed may become short-tempered if they don't get the handout they're expecting.

It's not a good situation for the alligators either, Kobrin explained. Of the seven animals that have had to be removed from the lake because of "alligator-people confilcts," four were killed.

It is more costly and dangerous to release alligators elsewhere and not all wildlife agents are willing to do it, she said.

Councilwoman Jill Hebert, who lives in the area, said alligators are increasingly encroaching on their properties, crawling into yards where children are at play.

Councilman Carroll Delahoussaye suggested making the prohibition parish-wide.

"People shouldn't be feeding alligators anywhere," he said.

Legal advisor Chester Cedars said an ordinance making feeding the 'gators illegal is within the council's purview, but added that enforcement will be a problem.

The ordinance will likely be introduced in September and acted upon in October.