Florida Woman Fights Off 5-Foot Alligator to Rescue Puppy in Land O’Lakes

Danie Wright, a Florida woman, heroically fought off a 5-foot alligator that tried to drag her 4-month-old puppy, Dax, into a creek near her Land O’ Lakes home. When the alligator latched onto the pup’s collar and pulled him into the water, Wright punched the reptile repeatedly in the eye until it released her dog, though she sustained bite wounds on her arm during the struggle. Wildlife officers later trapped and removed the alligator from the property. Florida averages around eight unprovoked alligator attacks on humans annually, with pet attacks being more common, prompting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to urge caution and leash use near bodies of water. Recent incidents, including a fatal attack near Lake Kissimmee and a mauling of an optometrist in the St. Lucie River, highlight the ongoing risks posed by the state’s estimated 1.3 million alligators. Wright’s experience serves as a stark warning to pet owners to remain vigilant around Florida’s numerous waterways.