Richard Wilbanks risked his life to save his puppy, Gunner, from an alligator. Image: Facebook/Florida Wildlife Federation
An elderly man used his bare hands to pry open the jaws of an alligator that suddenly clamped onto his puppy in Florida, USA.
Richard Wilbanks and his 3-month-old puppy, Gunner, were walking near his backyard pond at the end of October when the reptile attacked. After latching onto the dog, the alligator quickly dragged it back underwater, as per the Fort Myers 黑料社-Press on Nov. 21.
Wilbanks then jumped into the pond and forced the alligator鈥檚 mouth open as Gunner yelped. Once the alligator loosened its bite, Gunner quickly ran off to dry land.
鈥淸The alligator] just came out like a missile,鈥� Wilbanks told CBS-affiliate WINK.
The heroic act was recorded on a camera that was set up by the Florida Wildlife Federation and the fSTOP Foundation as part of a campaign to encourage the public to thrive with wild animals. The Florida Wildlife Federation later posted the video of the rescue on its Facebook page.
Though Gunner sustained a small puncture wound and Wilbanks鈥� hands were 鈥渏ust chewed up,鈥� he assured that they are now doing fine.
While Gunner is now 鈥渁 little hesitant鈥� to approach water, Wilbanks considers the incident a learning experience. He also promises to always keep Gunner on a leash and away from water from now on.
鈥淚 would like to emphasize for people that have pets to make sure that they keep them away from the edge of the water,鈥� Wilbanks told the news outlet.
Meanwhile, Florida Wildlife Federation鈥檚 regional policy director, Meredith Budd, hopes that their project helps residents realize that they live on a 鈥渟hared landscape.鈥�
鈥淲e don鈥檛 just want to tolerate wildlife, but, rather, we want to thrive with wildlife on a shared landscape,鈥� she said in the report.
Wilbanks鈥� wife, Louise, echoed her sentiments, adding that the campaign gives them a 鈥渘ew appreciation鈥� for wildlife.
鈥淲e do need to be aware they are wild animals. They鈥檙e not here for our benefit,鈥� Louise said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very lucky to share this space with them.鈥� Ryan Arcadio聽/ra
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