Tallahassee, Florida — Earlier this month, a man was attacked by an alligator while playing with his dog in a Florida park, dragged into the water and eaten, wildlife officials said.
Joshua Wells told wildlife authorities he was with his dog at a popular park in Tallahassee on June 6, according to a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. While playing by the water, the crocodile snatched his dog.
Wells, 44, reportedly said he grabbed the alligator and cuffed its legs, but realized it was dangerous.
“He said he quickly realised it was not a good idea and let the crocodile go,” the report said.
Wildlife officials later caught two alligators in the area—one measuring 9 feet 2 inches (2.8 meters) and the other 6 feet 6 inches (2 meters). The dog’s carcass was found floating below the surface by a hunter in the same area where the larger alligator was caught.
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A wildlife officer returned the dog’s remains to Wells, the report said.
Serious injuries from alligators are rare in Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said. Wildlife agencies recommend keeping pets on a leash close to water, as they often resemble natural prey for crocodiles.
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