A crocodile killed a pet dog in Florida. How to keep your pets safe from crocs, alligators
On Monday, Satellite Beach officials reported that a crocodile was spotted swimming off in a canal near Tortoise Island with a medium-sized pug dog in its mouth.
"Crocodile sightings have increased in recent years as the result of their population recovery along with the growing number of people spending time on or near the waters of South Florida," said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) spokesperson Lauren Claerbout in an email. "Due to the American crocodile’s shy and reclusive nature, conflicts between them and people are extremely rare in Florida."
Alligator attacks on dogs in Florida are much more common.
Gators have killed a 40-pound black labrador retriever mix in Tallahassee, an 80-pound Dalmatian in Jacksonville, a 50-pound pit bull on the campus of State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, and a large bulldog in Port Orange, among others. In 2021, a 74-year-old Boca Raton woman successfully fought off an alligator that attacked her golden retriever mix. In February, an 85-year-old Fort Pierce woman was walking her small dog along a retention pond in a golf course community when an approximately 10-foot alligator came out of the water after the dog and she was grabbed and dragged in when she tried to rescue it.
An estimated 1.3 million alligators are in Florida and can be found in all 67 counties, according to FWC, in practically all fresh and brackish water bodies and sometimes even salt water. They are an important part of the ecosystem and usually avoid humans. Alligator attacks are not uncommon in Florida, although deaths from them are, but the big reptiles get more active in and around the water during the warm weather months.
The problem is, so do humans, and they bring their pets.
Do alligators and crocodiles eat dogs?
If they can get them. While juvenile alligators and crocodiles eat insects, amphibians, small fish and other invertebrates, according to the FWC, the adult reptiles go after bigger fish, turtles, snakes, birds... and small mammals.
Alligators can lie motionless underwater for an extended period of time waiting for curious prey, and your pet coming to the water for a drink could look like an easy meal.
"Pets often resemble crocodiles’ natural prey," Claerbout said.
What do I do if an alligator or crocodile attacks my dog?
It hurts to hear, but your best bet for your own safety may be to get away yourself.
If the alligator is less than 4 feet in length you may have a chance. In 2020, Richard Wilbanks of Estero jumped into a pond after a small alligator snatched his spaniel Gunner and wrestled the dog back. But larger gators pose a serious and potentially fatal threat to you as well.
“If an alligator grabs your pet there’s not much you can do. Do not go into the water after that alligator," ZooMiami Wildlife expert Ron Magill told NBCMiami.
"These alligators are not malicious animals. They are not looking at a human saying 'I want to come after this human being' but they will look at small pets and not be able to decipher between them and their natural food, be it a raccoon, possum, duck or whatever."
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Can I kill an alligator or crocodile if it threatens my dog?
No. State law prohibits killing, harassing or possessing alligators or crocodiles or their eggs. It's a third-degree felony to kill or injure a gator.
In Florida, alligators can only be killed if deemed a nuisance by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and then only by a contracted nuisance alligator trapper. Call 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) if the alligator is at least 4 feet in length and you believe an alligator poses a threat to people, pets or property.
Alligators less than 4 feet in length are not large enough to be dangerous to people or pets, unless handled. Don't handle them. It's dangerous — even small gator bites can result in serious infection — and illegal.
How can I keep my dog safe from alligators and crocodiles?
The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings. In Florida, if there's a body of water there may very well be alligators in it. Just assume there's one there, especially in murky or muddy water, and act accordingly.
Keep pets on a leash, no longer than 6 feet, and a safe distance away from the water's edge.
Do not let your pet swim in fresh or brackish water. Only swim yourself in designated swimming areas, and avoid dusk and dawn when alligators are more active.
Never let your dog drink out of a lake or river. Alligators have a keen sense of smell and may see your dog as an easy food source. Bring a water bottle for your pet on walks.
Never feed an alligator or crocodile. It's illegal, and you don't want the gator to start feeling comfortable around humans.
Listen for hissing. While it might not be after you, an alligator may feel threatened if you're in their territory or approaching their nest and they will hiss to warn you. Avoid piles of twigs, grasses or soil near the side of a lake or river. Avoid any group of alligators under a foot long.
Do not approach an alligator or crocodile. If you want to take pictures, do it from at least 30 feet away.
If an alligator or crocodile is approaching your pet, back away slowly. Do not assume they are slow and sluggish, alligators are extremely quick and agile and can outrun or outswim any human for the first 30 feet.
If you see an alligator or crocodile that poses a threat to people, pets or property, call Call 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). If there is an immediate threat, call 911.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Protect your dogs, cats from Florida alligator, crocodile attacks
