The dramatic rescue serve up as a admonisher that we share our spaces with Mother Nature — and require to take precaution to keep our pet safe .
A striking delivery caught on a wildlife television camera shows the moment a Florida man rushes into the water near his home to save his beloved dog from an gator . Richard Wilbanks , 74 , of Estero , Fla. , can be seen pry the gator ’s jaws off his 3 - month - oldCavalier King Charles spanielpuppy , Gunner , who then hasten to prophylactic once he ’s liberate from the alligator ’s grip .
" He just come up out like a projectile , " Wilbanks said of the gator ’s surprising speeding .
Photo: Bigandt.com / Shutterstock
Both the dog and his bomber of a homo are o.k. after the attack , withWilbanks telling local news affiliate KHOUthat the pup suffered minor injury and was arrest out at the veterinarian after the traumatic trial by ordeal .
" He had one little puncture wound and I had , my handwriting were just manducate up , " Wilbanks said .
The ordeal was catch on video as part of a partnership between theFlorida Wildlife Federationand thefStop Foundation , two organizations commit to conserving habitat for wildlife through education and awareness . The groups team up up to place wildlife cameras across Southwest Florida — including the pond near Wilbanks ' home — in fiat to seize paradigm of animate being as part of a movement called ' Share the Landscape . '
Meredith Budd , regional insurance policy managing director for the Florida Wildlife Federation , told CNNthat the cameras were localise in country where residential homes intersect with wild place in society to learn residents about the wildlife habitat they live near — in part to help annul the kinds of conflict that can arise when animals like alligator inhabit shared quad with mass and their pets . " We do n’t just want to tolerate wildlife , but , rather , we want to thrive with wildlife on a shared landscape , " she say .
Even after his close-fitting skirmish with the gator , Wilbanks agreed with the wildlife organization ’s delegation , sound out he does not need the gator removed from the pond or destroyed . " They ’re part of nature and part of our lives , " he aver .
Both Gunner and Wilbanks have recovered and are back to delight their regular walkway — only now , the two walk on - leash and 10 metrical foot away from the water ' sharpness .
The incident is a admonisher to all pet owners to be conservative when adventuring out in nature . The National Park Service says topractice the B.A.R.K. principleswhen exploring savage spaces with your weenie , which include go along your puppy rope during hikes and respecting wildlife from a distance by staying on marked trails .
