‘I fought an alligator and won’: Florida woman punches, fends off gator that dragged puppy into creek

LAND O LAKES Fla WSVN Alligators are part of life in Florida and as the owner of a puppy located out small dogs can be easy prey So she took matters into her own hands and confronted the predator Four-month-old Dax likely has no idea his owner Danie Wright saved his life earlier this month But anyone would do it declared Wright Well we ve never seen an alligator back here Wright reported she had taken Dax behind her house in Land O Lakes to walk along a stagnant creek when the gator lunged at her pup and bit his collar I heard a squeal and I got pulled So he s the alligator had him by his AirTag and drags him she commented As the large reptile dragged Dax into the water Wright chose to fight back And I just punched and punched and punched and I punched him in the eye enough that he kind of let go like he unclamped a little she announced and I pulled out but his teeth were like here and just dragged down my arm What may look like algae or maybe even AstroTurf on the water s surface is really floating water moss and it provided an effective cover for the -foot gator It did not take long for trappers and agents with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to get there and catch the gator Be careful with your dogs you know these alligators are no joke I mean feet he came out to get him and I didn t see him she announced Wright recorded the gator s capture safely from inside her porch I can t even believe this happened to my life nowadays she is heard saying in the video I freaking fought an alligator and won She has a reminder for dog owners to avoid taking their pets anywhere close to water I learned to be more alert Constantly walk around I m looking at my phone all the time Leave your phone at home you know Pay attention she commented Because you never know what might be lurking but in Florida if it s wet it s a safe bet a gator is close by Alligator attacks on dogs aren t tracked but wildlife leaders say they are a common target