Alligator attacks woman walking her dog, Florida officials say. Trapper catches it

A woman was rushed to a hospital after an alligator attacked her in southwest Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

It happened Thursday, Sept. 5, in North Fort Myers, about a 125-mile drive south from Tampa.

“Preliminary information indicates that a woman was walking her dog when an ... alligator bit her leg. She was transported to the hospital,” FWC officials said. “A trapper was dispatched, and a 7 (foot) 3 (inch) alligator was removed.”

The identity of the woman and her condition have not been released.

Details of what happened to the alligator were not released, but Florida alligators involved in attacks on humans are typically euthanized after capture.

The incident happened late in the day near the intersection of James and Slater roads, WBBH reports. Maps show the site is adjacent to the Julia Park mobile home community, which has multiple ponds that could host alligators.

“She also had injuries to her arms and hands, but officials don’t know if they’re alligator-related,” the station said.

A neighbor reported hearing someone screaming, then looked to see a woman lying on the ground with wounds deep enough to expose bone, WINK said.

“The alligator came up to get the dog. She pulled the dog out of the way and the gator got her leg, and arm and hand,” North Fort Myers resident Mark Burlingham told the station.

Dogs and cats are known to attract the attention of alligators because they “resemble alligators’ natural prey,” experts say.

Investigators did not say if the dog was on a leash, which is among the precautions FWC officials recommend to keep pets safe from alligators.

This story was originally published September 6, 2024 at 12:44 PM with the headline "Alligator attacks woman walking her dog, Florida officials say. Trapper catches it."