TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tampa woman came face-to-face with an alligator and jumped on its back to save the life of her beloved dog.
It was a terrifying moment that happened in seconds, but luckily, she and her dog survived the attack.
Nine-year-old Kona is a rescue and on Tuesday her owner, Kimberly Spencer, rescued her.
“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. It was like ten feet in, but ten feet away from the bank,” Spencer said.
Spencer was out for a walk with her dog when a set of eyes appeared in the water. In a matter of seconds, a gator had Kona in its jaws.
“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. So, I jumped on its back and was trying to pry its jaws open,” Spencer said.
Spencer said she didn’t think twice when she jumped in and pulled Kona from the gator’s grip.
Alligator guide Phil Walters from Gator Guides said it was a brave move but a risky one.
“Might be successful, but there’s also been people killed doing that — especially with an extremely large alligator. Do not be aloof. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not walk your dogs or pets near water,” Walters said.
Kona survived with deep bite wounds, and Spencer ended up with stitches, but she said it was all worth it.
“I would do it all over again, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let her be taken away,” Spencer said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the gator was about 6 feet, and an alligator trapper was able to remove the gator from the area.
Kona is expected to make a full recovery.