Dog rescued from alligator Florida during evening walk

Dog rescued from alligator Florida—a brave woman jumped into action to save her pet during a terrifying encounter with a gator.

Kim Spencer, an elementary school teacher, was out for an evening walk with her 9-year-old rescue dog, Kona, on Tuesday, April 1, when a six-foot alligator lunged from a nearby lake. Before she had a chance to react, the gator clamped down, its jaws enclosing Kona’s entire head.

“She was face-to-face with it, and it just leapt out,” Spencer told local outlets including 7 News Miami and Fox 13. “Her whole head was inside its mouth.”

Despite being scared of wildlife like snakes and gators, Spencer didn’t hesitate. She tackled the reptile from behind in a desperate effort to free her dog. “I didn’t think—I just acted. I jumped on it, straddled it, and tried to pry its mouth open,” she said.

Dog rescued from alligator Florida: owner’s heroic leap

Spencer described the reptile as quickly grabbing hold of Kona’s entire front half. “Its back was to me, so I leapt on top of it,” she said. “We were lucky. As fast as it came at us, it turned and ran back into the water.”

Both Spencer and Kona suffered injuries. Spencer needed stitches, and Kona was treated for deep bite wounds. Thankfully, both are expected to recover fully.

Dog rescued from alligator Florida: safety reminder

Now recovering at home in Hillsborough County, Spencer says she’ll stick to walking within her gated community and urges others to be extra cautious near bodies of water.

“People need to understand—don’t go near them, and definitely don’t feed them,” she warned.

In reflecting on her courageous act, Spencer said, “I’d do it all over again. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t try to save her.”

Source: www.people.com