Girl recalls painful dolphin bite at SeaWorld

ATLANTA -- An 8-year-old Georgia girl says it "really, really hurt" when a dolphin snatched her hand in its mouth while she fed the animal as part of an attraction at SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla.

But Jillian Thomas of Alpharetta says she was concerned that the dolphin didn't get sick from eating the paper carton she held. In an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America," Jillian said Monday she prayed for the dolphin afterward.

Jillian suffered three puncture wounds to her hand. Her father Jamie, who was with her at the theme park when the dolphin lunged from its pool Nov. 21, described his reaction as: "Instant fear."

SeaWorld officials said in a statement that the safety of their guests is paramount, and they are taking the situation seriously.

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