8 foot alligator attacks dog in Martin County

Cover photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife | Flickr

The last thing one might expect while enjoying a day out with their pet is to be attacked by an alligator, but that was the case for a Florida woman and her Labrador Retriever according to a release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Officer Landers was the responding officer, being called in for an alligator bite involving a male domesticated dog in West Palm City. The owner stated that his daughter was riding her horse around a lake owned by the county behind their house with her furry friend running alongside her. The dog broke off, running toward the edge of the lake where an alligator lunged out and grabbed it.

Fortunately, the dog was able to free itself from the gator's grip, and the family immediately brought him to a vet. Officer Landers notified the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper came to remove the 8-foot alligator from the property.

May seemed to be an active month for alligator calls, with another officer responding to a second gator in need of rescue from Florida traffic in Lee County.

Lieutenant Ruggiero responded to a call about an alligator at the Southwest Regional Airport. When he arrived on the scene, a 9-foot alligator was in the median, its head inching into oncoming traffic. Ruggiero was able to pull the gator from the median, securing and turning it over to a contracted nuisance alligator trapper. 

These incidents only touch the surface of actions taken by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions Division of Law Enforcement; you can read the May 19 through May 25 weekly report release from FWC in its entirety below:

Northwest Region
Bay County

• Officer Jarrell was on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when he observed a vessel with several people returning from fishing offshore. He stopped the vessel to conduct a boating safety and resource inspection. During the inspection he discovered two greater amberjacks. The season for greater amberjack is closed. He discussed the violation with the individuals on the vessel and issued the captain a citation for possession of greater amberjack in closed season.
• Senior Officer T. Basford and Officer Jarrell were on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when they observed a vessel returning from fishing. They stopped the vessel to conduct a boating safety and resource inspection. During the inspection, the captain of the vessel was showing obvious signs of impairment. Officer Jarrell conducted standard field sobriety tasks on the captain, who performed poorly and was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. He refused to provide a breath sample. He was booked in the Bay County jail for BUI and was issued a citation for refusal to submit to a breath test.
• Officers Gore, Alsobrooks, Palmer, and Jarrell responded to a report regarding trespassing in Watson Bayou. Once on scene, they discovered a sunken vessel past the boat ramp. Through their investigation, they identified the owner of the vessel had dumped the boat, which was not registered, from the boat ramp and let it sink. The owner was arrested for felony dumping and storing a derelict vessel on the waters of the state. He was also charged with failing to transfer the title in his name.

Offshore Patrol

• While conducting offshore patrol south of Franklin County, Officers Stallings, Hartzog, and Nelson conducted a resource inspection of a recreational fishing vessel. During the inspection, the occupants of the vessel told the officers they had not caught any fish. The officers discovered two large red snappers on board the vessel. Appropriate action was taken regarding the violations.
• While conducting offshore patrol south of Franklin County, Officers Hartzog and Nelson observed a vessel displaying a dive flag. The vessel occupants told the officers they speared several black grouper. The officers conducted a resource inspection and discovered the subjects had not speared any black grouper but had speared three gag grouper. Currently, gag grouper is closed in state and federal waters. Two of the three gag grouper were also undersized. The officers took appropriate action to address the violations.

Gulf County

• While conducting a resource inspection, Officer Gerber discovered whole stone crabs and claws in the subject’s vehicle. They were in possession of eight whole stone crabs and 20 claws in total. Thirteen of the claws were undersized and the season was closed. The subject was cited for the violations. 
• Senior Officer M. Webb was conducting boating safety and resource inspections on vessels returning from fishing at a local ramp. A vessel with no registration displayed returned with two people on board. An inspection revealed the captain was in possession of a greater amberjack during closed season. A citation was issued to the captain of the vessel.

North Central Region
Nassau County

• While on patrol, Investigator Mandrick observed a pickup truck driving recklessly on a graded dirt/sand road. The truck rapidly accelerated into a hairpin turn causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The truck went off the designated roadway, up into protected coastal dunes, through a rope barrier fence, and finally came to a stop against a downed palm tree. The truck then reversed out of the dunes and continued driving toward the park exit. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver showed signs of impairment. Standardized field sobriety tasks were administered and the driver was placed under arrest for driving under the influence, driving off a designated roadway in a state park, and driving on coastal dunes and vegetation. Nearly three hours later, the driver consented to a breath test resulting in a blood alcohol content that was over the legal limit. The subject was booked into the Nassau County Jail.

Northeast Region
Seminole County

• Officer Wild was conducting water patrols during a busy weekend on the St. John’s River and identified an individual revving his vessel’s engine excessively after dark. Officer Wild conducted a vessel stop for a safety inspection. During the inspection, the individual showed signs of impairment and Officer Wild conducted standardized field sobriety tasks. At the conclusion of the investigation, the operator was arrested for boating while normal faculties were impaired and transported to the Seminole County Jail. Numerous boating safety violations and a refusal to submit to a lawful breath test were documented as well.

Marion County

• While patrolling a busy public boat ramp, Officer Specialist Hayes and K-9 Senior Officer Simpson observed a jet ski operating inside the idle speed zone on plane while approaching the dock. The operator was not wearing a life jacket. During a boating safety inspection, several signs of impairment were observed. After administering standardized field sobriety tasks, Officer Hayes initiated a boating under the influence investigation and determined the operator’s normal faculties were impaired. The operator was placed under arrest and, due to three previous BUI / DUI arrests and convictions, was charged with a third-degree felony per Florida Statute.
• While on night patrol near a state park, Officer Specialist Hayes observed two subjects walking the state park border accompanied by two dogs. Officer Hayes contacted the subjects and Officer Flynn arrived shortly thereafter to assist. An investigation determined the subjects had been illegally hunting wild hogs within the state park. The subjects were cited accordingly.  
• Officers from Marion, Putnam, Flagler, and St. Johns Counties, responded to the Ocala National Forest to assist state and federal partners as they battled a 4,000-acre wildfire. Responding officers conducted welfare checks of residents and provided roving security within the impacted area to ensure a safe environment for the firefighters battling the blaze.

Putnam County

• Lieutenant Jones and Officer Galvan received information about a subject possibly possessing a gopher tortoise and other wildlife at their home. After contacting the subject at their residence, it was determined several species of wildlife were being unlawfully kept there, including a gopher tortoise, raccoon, and bobwhite quail. The animals were surrendered and taken to a licensed wildlife rehabber and charges were filed with the State Attorney’s Office.

Brevard County

• Lieutenant Cybula and Officer Specialist Balgo conducted resource inspections on incoming vessels in Port Canaveral. One inspection located a vessel in possession of an out-of-season snapper. The individual was cited accordingly.
• Officer Hopkins and Officers Stelzer and St. Martin initiated a stop after observing individuals gill netting the Indian River. Inside the vessel, the officers discovered a large gill net containing pompano, snapper, horseshoe crabs, stingrays, and numerous other saltwater species and marine life. The subjects were arrested and charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. Both subjects were booked into the Brevard County Jail.

Orange County

• Officer Navarino was on patrol in Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area when he observed numerous individuals returning from cast netting on the St. Johns River. Officer Navarino conducted a resource inspection and discovered a black bass hidden under clothing in a bucket. The individuals were cited accordingly for taking freshwater gamefish by an illegal method. 

Community-Oriented PolicingBrevard County

• Officers from FWC Division of Law Enforcement Northeast and South A Regions along with FWC Honor Guard members, attended and participated in the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial at the American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville. The event recognized and remembered the officers from across the United States and U.S. territories who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2022.   

Southwest Region
Hillsborough County

• While on land patrol, Officer Rivard observed a vehicle parked near a freshwater canal. He located two individuals and observed them catch and keep fish. When they returned to their vehicle, the officer conducted a fisheries inspection and found the individuals to be in possession of three largemouth bass. The individuals admitted to catching the bass with the cast net and were issued citations for harvesting gamefish with a net.

Lee County

• Lieutenant Ruggiero was on patrol at a critical wildlife area when he observed a subject approach the roped-off area, look at the sign, step over the rope and walk inside the area near several protected nesting shorebirds. The birds were observed flushing from their nests, which can make them susceptible to predators. The subject was detained and admitted to walking in the area because he didn’t want to get his feet wet by walking in the water on the outside of the area. The area was checked for any injured destroyed nests and eggs. Fortunately, none were found.  The man was educated about the purpose and importance of critical wildlife areas and issued a warning for the violation.
• Officers Hardgrove and Lejarzar were on water patrol when they stopped a vessel returning from fishing. The subjects told the officers they had fish on board. Officer Lejarzar boarded the vessel to inspect the catch and was shown some legal fish. Upon closer inspection, the officer found an undersized yellowtail snapper in one of the live wells. When asked why the snapper was in the live well, one of the subjects said he thought it was okay to use the snapper as bait. The fish was measured and found to be undersized. The officers issued the subject a citation for the violation. 
• Lieutenant Ruggiero responded to an alligator call at the Southwest Regional Airport. When he arrived on the scene, a 9-foot alligator was in the median with its head almost in oncoming traffic. He was able to pull the alligator from the median, secure it and turn it over to a contracted nuisance alligator trapper. 

Pinellas County

• While on patrol, Lieutenant Bibeau observed a large, offshore fishing vessel return to a nearby private marina. Lieutenant Bibeau drove to the marina and contacted the vessel and its occupants as they were pulling into their slip. The individuals on board the vessel advised they had been fishing but didn’t have any fish. Lieutenant Bibeau boarded the vessel and conducted a fisheries inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection, he found the individuals to be in possession of seven out-of-season red snappers, one undersized red snapper, and one out-of-season gag grouper. Lieutenant Bibeau issued the operator of the vessel three citations for fisheries violations and a warning for operating an unregistered documented vessel.

Polk County

• Investigator Tyer was patrolling the various management and public use areas when she witnessed an individual using a cast net inside Saddle Creek Fish Management Area and another subject was doing the same activity at Tenoroc Public Use Area. Both subjects were cited for use and possession of a cast net inside these managed areas and will have to appear in court for their violations.    

Sarasota County

• Officer Blyar and Officer Morrison were on water patrol in the Venice Inlet. They observed a vessel with multiple fishing rods coming into the Inlet. During a fisheries inspection, they found one out-of-season gag grouper as well as one undersized triggerfish. The subject was written a citation for being in possession of gag grouper out of season and a warning for being in possession of an undersized triggerfish.
• Officer Specialist Klobuchar, Officer Devine, and Officer Blyar were working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge. They encountered multiple individuals who were trespassing on the island next to the no trespassing sign. The officers issued citations for the violations.
• Lieutenant Hinds was performing resource inspections on anglers along the east side of Sarasota Bay.  During one inspection, he found an individual had caught and kept two undersized spotted sea trout. The lieutenant explained spotted seatrout regulations and cited the subject for possession of undersized spotted sea trout.

South A Region
Broward County

• While on patrol, Officers Armstrong and Hammad observed an unoccupied vehicle with fishing equipment parked on U.S. 27 at the north end of Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4. They followed fresh footprints past a gate posted with no public access signs and observed two subjects walk out of the sawgrass. The officers escorted both subjects back to the vehicle to conduct a resource inspection. Upon searching the cooler in the vehicle, they observed a peacock bass, a bag of dead iguanas, and a dead common gallinule/moorhen.  At first, the subjects said someone gave them the iguanas and common gallinule but later admitted they both shot the gallinule and hid the air rifles in the sawgrass. Officer Hammad located the air rifles and both subjects were charged with possession of common gallinule out of season and entering the STA at a non-designated access point.

Monroe County

• Officer Hudson was conducting state water patrol near Alabama Jacks on Card Sound Road.  During a fisheries inspection he found four undersize snapper and over the bag limit of barracuda along with other fishing violations. The subject was issued citations for the violations.

Martin County

• While on water patrol Officer Reinhardt conducted a safety inspection on a rental vessel.  Although there were seven individuals on board, the vessel only contained six life jackets. The operator showed Officer Reinhardt his reservation for a seven-person vessel. With the help of the operator, Officer Reinhardt was able to identify the employee who rented the under equipped vessel at the nearby dock. When asked if a safety equipment inspection had been done on the vessel prior to it being rented, the rental employee stated he did not ensure the vessel had its proper safety equipment because he was busy. The livery employee received a misdemeanor citation for the violation.
• Officer Koger was checking anglers at the Jensen Beach Causeway. He asked a couple fishing together if they had any luck and they said they had caught pufferfish.  Upon inspection, Officer Koger found several undersized species of snapper. They told the officer they did not have a measuring tool and that the other anglers on the causeway had told them the fish were too short.  The individual who caught the snapper received five misdemeanor citations for the short lane, mutton and mangrove snapper.
• Officer Landers responded to an alligator bite involving a domestic dog in West Palm City. The owner stated his daughter was riding her horse around the county-owned lake behind their house with their Labrador Retriever. The dog ran toward the edge of the lake and an alligator lunged out of the water and grabbed it. The dog was able to free itself and the family immediately brought him to the vet. The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) was notified and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper removed the 8’ alligator.
• Officer Reinhardt was on patrol at Greenfield Park when he observed a subject fishing at the end of the pier. Upon inspection, the officer found a bonefish in the subject’s bucket. Bonefish are prohibited from being harvested. Officer Reinhardt issued a citation for the violation.

Okeechobee County

• Officer Specialist Allen was patrolling the Kissimmee River area when he observed two adults and two juveniles fishing from the E-Lock South Florida Water Management District structure. The structure is posted against trespassing. The two adults admitted to crossing the navigational lock to fish. They were issued notices to appear in court for trespassing on the structure.
• Officer Specialist Allen was on patrol in the No Name Slough Unit of the Kissimmee River Public Use Area (PUA) when he observed two subjects loading offroad motorcycles into a van.  Offroad motorcycle operation is illegal in the Kissimmee River PUA. The subjects had also illegally entered the area at a non-designated access point.  The subjects were issued notices to appear in court for illegal entry into the PUA and warnings for operating motorcycles in the PUA.

Palm Beach County

• Officers Cernuto, Koger, and Gilmore were on water patrol when they saw a personal watercraft violate the posted slow speed zone on the northwest side of Peanut Island. As the officers neared, they also saw the operator was not properly wearing his required personal floatation device. When they stopped the vessel, the operator immediately secured his PFD without being asked. While speaking with him, Officer Cernuto detected numerous indicators of impairment.  After performing poorly on seated standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for suspicion of boating under the influence. The operator provided breath samples over the legal limit and was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail and charged with BUI.

South B Region
Collier County

• Officer Specialists Reams and Wagner were on water patrol when they saw a group of people on the shore next to a vessel. Upon closer inspection, they saw a cast net by the shoreline and approached to see if the individuals were fishing. The subjects stated they did not have any fish. While walking around the area, Officer Reams found a cooking stove and a bag of fish in plain view that had an undersized permit in it.  The permit had been finned and scored and appeared to be prepared for cooking. The bag contained 13 undersized permits. One individual claimed possession of the fish and was cited accordingly.
• Officer Conroy observed a subject using a cast net in brackish water to catch multiple species including gamefish such as largemouth bass and peacock bass. She contacted the subject to address the illegal take of the game fish. The subject admitted to netting the gamefish and was cited appropriately.

Monroe County

• Investigator Glen Way and Officer Paris Winter conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a person fishing north of Key Haven who the investigator recognized from a prior marine fisheries inspection. The inspection revealed that in addition to the legal catch, (bag limit/size limit) of mangrove snappers, 11 barracuda and three more mangrove snappers were found in a compartment the subject was sitting on. In addition, three of the barracuda measured under the legal size limit of 15 inches. The subject was found to be in possession of eight total mangrove snappers putting him three over the legal bag limit. Filleted barracuda and a French grunt were also found on board the vessel. The subject had been cited by Investigator Way less than two weeks prior for similar violations. The subject was arrested for the current marine fisheries violations and taken to Monroe County Detention Center.
• Officer Carpenter, Officer Cobb, and Lieutenant Sapp were on water patrol when they observed a vessel coming toward Channel Key on a plane that was swerving side to side. The vessel jumped the flat north of Channel Key and navigated past the officers. The officers also saw the vessel operator pass a coozie with a drink to the passenger. A vessel stop and boater safety check were conducted and during the interaction, the operator had to be reminded multiple times about what safety equipment the officers requested to inspect. The operator lost balance on multiple occasions while the sea state was calm. The officers asked the subject to submit to standardized field sobriety tasks, and she initially refused. When reminded that it would be used against her in court, she complied. The subject was arrested for normal faculties impaired. The vessel with the passenger was hip-towed to Sunset Marina. Once at the jail, the subject refused to provide a breath sample and was charged for operating a vessel while normal faculties were impaired and for refusing to submit a breath test.
• While patrolling northbound U.S. 1, Officer Cobb observed a pickup truck traveling southbound towing a large vessel with no trailer lights or rear brake lights illuminated. Officer Cobb conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, notified the subject of the reason for the stop, and offered to assist in fixing the trailer lights so he could safely continue. While conducting an inspection, Officer Cobb noticed the vessel was not displaying registration and Officer Cobb notified the subject he could be ticketed if caught on the waters of the state without registration. The subject indicated he had registered in the vessel and invited Officer Cobb onboard to show him the documentation. Once onboard, the subject opened the leaning post and Officer Cobb detected the strong odor of cannabis. When the subject removed the vessel registration from a waterproof box, the officer observed what appeared to be psychedelic mushrooms. Officer Cobb seized the container and also located pills inside that field tested positive for Ecstasy. The subject also turned over to Officer Cobb two mason jars that yielded a positive result for cannabis. The subject admitted the items were his and he was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and possession of cannabis. The subject was transported to the Stock Island Jail and booked without incident.
• Officers Carpenter and Cobb and Lieutenant Sapp were conducting a night patrol inside Key West Harbor and observed a blacked out, double engine vessel inbound into Key West Harbor. The vessel, a 30-foot cabin motorboat, had no navigation lights and was playing loud music. The vessel was stopped and the operator had to be told multiple times to turn the music off. During the interaction with the operator, he repeatedly refused to follow instructions and displayed numerous signs of impairment. Due to strong harbor currents and the size difference between the patrol vessel and the vessel in question, the U.S. Coast Guard was called to assist with stabilizing the vessels. The male subject was arrested for boating while normal faculties were impaired. The female passenger was unable to operate the vessel due to alcohol consumption. USCG assisted by taking the vessel and the operator back to Station Key West. Once at the jail, the male subject refused to provide a breath sample and was charged for operating a vessel while normal faculties were impaired and for refusing to submit a breath test (second offense).
• Investigator Chris Mattson was on unmarked federal water patrol in plain clothes. He observed a vessel anchored in the Key Largo Existing Management Area displaying a dive flag with two men freediving nearby. The Key Largo EMA is closed to spearfishing. Investigator Mattson observed both men had spearguns in their hands. One of the men had just shot a hogfish and was swimming it on the spear back to the boat. Investigator Mattson conducted a vessel stop and wrote both subjects federal citations for spearfishing in the Key Largo EMA. One subject received a written warning for undersized hogfish.
• Investigator Chris Mattson was on unmarked federal water patrol in plain clothes north of Carysfort Sanctuary Preservation Area in the Key Largo Existing Management Area. Investigator Mattson observed a personal watercraft with a free diver in the water. The subject was spearfishing in the prohibited area and the PWC was not displaying a dive flag. A resource inspection revealed one subject was in possession of three undersized hogfish and was also over the bag limit for hogfish. The subject was issued a federal citation for spearfishing in Key Largo EMA, citations for undersize hogfish and over-the-limit hogfish, and an infraction for no dive flag. 
• Investigator Mattson was patrolling the area north of Carysfort in the Key Largo Existing Management Area when observed a free diver in a camouflage dive top hand up a speargun to another occupant. As Investigator Mattson approached, he recognized the vessel from a previous stop. The investigator issued the subject a federal citation for spearfishing in the Key Largo EMA.

Photo by FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report

Article by Rachael Volpe