SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A family pet is on the mend after surviving an alligator attack in Southwest Miami-Dade.
Sunday afternoon, the Gonzales family was walking their beloved Weimaraner Hazel near a canal, off SW 26th Street, when she was attacked by an alligator. “In just an instant – that was it, the gator pulled her into the bank and into the water,” said Gladys Gonzales.
Gladys described the fear on Hazels face. “She was terrified, terrified. Just looking up at me. I close my eyes and see that look, that stare,” she said.
The family frantically began throwing rocks at the gator hoping Hazel would resurface. When they were unsuccessful, Gladys Gonzales’ husband, Andrew, climbed down and tried to rescue Hazel himself. “I grabbed him by one ankle. He went down and he was able to grab a hold of her by her harness and pull her up out of the water,” Gonzales said.
Andrew wrapped Hazel’s wounds with the clothes he had on, thinking she wouldn’t make it. The Gonzales family rushed Hazel to the veterinarian where doctors were able to save her. She is now on the road to recovery.
Hazel’s attack served to further frustrate residents who said the canal where she was attacked has more than a dozen alligators inside. Some reptiles measure as long as eight feet.
“They just ignore the situation,” said Yarissa Leon. “I even told them, ‘Today it’s a dog, and it’s not the first time, but maybe it’ll be a child next time.'”
The canal flows near an elementary and middle school.
Florida Fish and Wildlife came Sunday to assess the situation, and they are now working to remove the alligator out of the canal, much to the Gonzales’ relief.
“That is great news, that’s wonderful news,” said Gonzales. “Not only because of what happened, but for all the other kids out there, you know the canal runs through the houses.”
FWC said since the Gonzales don’t own the canal, they can’t authorize the removal of the alligator. Permission would need to be granted by the owner, Miami-Dade County. The paperwork was reportedly filed on Thursday.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.