Danie Wright, of Land O’ Lakes, Fla., was taking her 4-month old Shih Tzu Dax for a walk along a stagnant creek behind her house, when a 5-foot alligator struck. “I turned and looked, and an alligator had him,” said Wright. She said the animal’s teeth were completely through the collar on the dog. That’s when the alligator began dragging Dax into the water, leading Wright to fight back. She indicated that she had punched the alligator several times, finally hitting it square in the eye. That was enough to make the alligator let go. “He unclamped a little and I pulled off, but his teeth dragged down my arm,” said Wright. She was then able to flip the alligator onto its back, allowing her and Dax to run inside the house. Florida Fish & Wildlife was called and their trappers came and removed the alligator. Wright urged other pet owners to be cautious in areas where gators can easily camouflage. "Just be careful with your dogs, you know these alligators are no joke," Wright said. "I mean, 15 feet, he came out to get him, and I didn't see him.”
