Florida Man Rescues Dog After Alligator Attack Near Orlando

DELTONA, Fla. (WSVN) — Winston, a chocolate Labrador Retriever, was lucky to survive a close encounter with a predator. Its owner was forced to shoot alligator invaders in his backyard. Now he talks about what happened.

A homeowner near Orlando had to think fast when an alligator attacked his backyard chocolate lab. A reptile over seven feet long latched on to his head. Just then the homeowner grabbed his gun and shot him 4 times.

“I don’t even think there was a thought. I think it was – my heart just sank and I thought, “OK, I have to go do something,” the landlord said. “So what I mean is, you just get in there and do what you have to do to save your dog. In 20 seconds, there would probably be a dead dog.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission came to help get rid of the alligator.

Winston is fine; he had a small stab wound on his ear.

“In the lead up to alligator breeding season, many alligators will be looking for potential mates,” Winston’s owner said. “They’re going to be a little more aggressive, so if you live anywhere near water, just make sure you check your yard because something like this can happen in a split second.”

The homeowner said the horrific encounter would make him think twice about where he was going and let his dog go.

“It’s not that I’m nervous, it’s just that I’m more nervous, I’m more aware of the situation and I double-check every time before I release the dog alone,” he said.

The homeowner said the gamekeeper believes the alligator entered through the damaged section of his fence.

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