|
CORAL SPRINGS, FLA---A simple walk with his dogs on Memorial Day became a horrifying experience for a Coral Springs resident and a near-death ordeal for his puppy.
Michael Rubin was walking Jasmine, his six-month-old golden retriever; and his older dog, Frisbee, a border collie, near his home in southern Florida, north of Fort Lauderdale, about 10 a.m.
Jasmine ran ahead to a pond on the construction site where they were walking and suddenly, Rubin heard the dog yelp.  When he reached his dog, he saw her head in the mouth of a 7-foot alligator. Rubin quickly jumped into the water up to his neck and began beating the alligator with his fist to no avail. The alligator began to roll in the water and he grabbed onto the dog, finally succeeding in prying her from the reptile's jaws. He rushed her dog to a nearby animal hospital which treated her for cuts and puncture wounds.
Rubin and Frisbee weren't injured and Jasmine has returned home to recuperate.
There have been multiple reports of gator attacks in recent weeks in Florida. Three women and a dog have died from the attacks. Only one woman survived a reported attack.
Authorities have issued repeated warnings to residents and visitors, advising them to keep their pets away from the water and to swim only in designated areas. http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/051506GatorsKill.html 5-30-06
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
|
