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Published : Sunday, 22 May 2011, 11:40 AM EDT
(NewsCore) - PALM CITY, Fla. -- A Florida dog-owner launched a daring attack on a six-foot (1.8m) alligator that had the man's canine companion between its jaws, The Palm Beach Post reported Saturday.
Gary Murphy was at his home in Palm City, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Miami, on Thursday evening when he heard his West Highland terrier named Doogie making noise in the back yard.
Murphy found his beloved pet in the mouth of an alligator, that had entered the yard from marshland behind the property, and launched a rescue bid by jumping on the reptile's backing and hitting it on the head.
"I had loafers on and I hit the back of that gator. It was like jumping on a pile of rocks," Murphy said.
The alligator let go of Doogie, who needed veterinary treatment for deep gouges, lung injuries and liver damage, but was expected to make a full recovery.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission warned it was alligator mating season -- making the reptiles more active -- and suggested pet owners keep their animals on a leash, especially around water.
(NewsCore) - PALM CITY, Fla. -- A Florida dog-owner launched a daring attack on a six-foot (1.8m) alligator that had the man's canine companion between its jaws, The Palm Beach Post reported Saturday.
Gary Murphy was at his home in Palm City, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Miami, on Thursday evening when he heard his West Highland terrier named Doogie making noise in the back yard.
Murphy found his beloved pet in the mouth of an alligator, that had entered the yard from marshland behind the property, and launched a rescue bid by jumping on the reptile's backing and hitting it on the head.
"I had loafers on and I hit the back of that gator. It was like jumping on a pile of rocks," Murphy said.
The alligator let go of Doogie, who needed veterinary treatment for deep gouges, lung injuries and liver damage, but was expected to make a full recovery.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission warned it was alligator mating season -- making the reptiles more active -- and suggested pet owners keep their animals on a leash, especially around water.
