The FWC said the alligator was approximately six-feet-long.
TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida woman rescued her dog from the grip of a 6-foot-long alligator’s mouth after it attacked during their walk Tuesday.
Kimberly Spencer was walking her 9-year-old rescue, Kona, near a pond in Tampa when Kona was attacked by an alligator lurking in the water 10 feet away.
“All of a sudden, I heard something and I looked over, and I saw like the eyes in the water and I saw it turn right away. It was coming at us,” Spencer told NBC affiliate WFLA. “It was like ten feet in, but ten feet away from the bank.”
Spencer said the gator lunged from the water, clamped down on the dog’s side and dragged her in.
“I guess it turned its body like right away with her, her whole front portion, including under her arm, because her right arm was in its mouth,” Spencer said. “So, I jumped on its back and was trying to pry its jaws open.”
Spencer said she didn’t think twice about rescuing Kona, which alligator guide Phil Waters said was a brave, but very risky move.
“Might be successful, but there’s also been people killed doing that especially with an extremely large alligator,” Waters told WFLA. “Do not be aloof. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not walk your dogs or pets near water.”
Kona survived with deep bite wounds. Spencer had to get stitches, but said it was all worth it.
“I would do it all over again,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let her be taken away.”
An alligator trapper removed the gator from the area. Florida Fish and Wildlife said it was approximately six-feet-long.
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