An 85-year-old woman was killed while walking her beloved dog in a 55-plus living community in Florida on February 20.
According to reports, the elderly woman died while trying to protect her dog from an imminent alligator attack. Reports reveal that while attempting to retrieve her dog, the alligator attacked the woman, killing her.
According to Fox 35 Orlando, the woman’s dog survived the attack. The alligator has since been captured by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Woman Killed In Alligator Attack While Attempting to Save Her Dog
The conservation commission described the alligator as being 11 feet long and weighing anywhere from 600 to 700 pounds.
WPTV 5 reports that the alligator first grabbed the dog before harming the woman. It’s unclear what kind of injuries the dog may have had. Experts tell FOX 35 that alligators often see household pets as prey and that it’s important that when walking around bodies of water, owners give themselves and their pets a “buffer.”
“Alligators are very opportunistic feeders. They are going to go for what’s easier for them.”
Witnesses who saw the attack occur immediately called 911. Both police officers and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the call, reports reveal.
“It was definitely a fight,” nuisance alligator trapper Robert Lilly told WPTV 5. “[We] snagged him on the bottom. He never surfaced. He stayed down the whole time. We were able to get a second hook in him and a hard line in him so we could get him up.”
Sheriff Ken Mascara, in a statement released on Facebook, offered his prayers to the woman’s family. “Our prayers go out to the loved ones of the victim and the Spanish Lakes’ residents who knew the victim and witnessed the attack.”
According to AZ Animals, “The state of Florida averages eight unprovoked alligator bites per year as of 2021. More so, the chance of being critically injured from an alligator attack is one in 3.1 million.” Only four gator attacks resulting in death were reported in all of America in 2022.
Although it has not yet been confirmed, this alligator in particular, due to the aggressive nature of the attack, will likely be euthanized.
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.