A canine has been hospitalized in Central Florida after a 12-foot alligator attacked the canine earlier this week.

The canine had been taken out for a stroll on Might 12 close to the Little Econ River at Riverside Park, which is situated in Oviedo, Florida.

Lisa McDonald, communications supervisor for the Metropolis of Oviedo, confirmed that there was a reported alligator assault that occurred on Friday, however the actual time is unknown since no 911 name was made and park employees have been notified a day later.

AMERICA’S STRANGEST ALLIGATOR ENCOUNTERS: SEE THESE 13 STARTLING STORIES

“A boyfriend and girlfriend have been strolling their canine at Riverside Park within the again alongside the Little Econ River when an alligator got here out and snatched it,” McDonald wrote in an e mail to Fox Information Digital. “In response to employees, (not witnessed), the boyfriend jumped on prime of the alligator to rescue the canine. They have been capable of free the animal.”

The rescued canine is reportedly receiving care at a neighborhood animal hospital, in keeping with FOX 35 Orlando.

Park employees contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) on Saturday after studying in regards to the reported incident. An alligator trapper then captured the big reptile on Sunday, in keeping with McDonald.

“On this space, there are a number of massive alligators,” McDonald wrote to Fox Information Digital on Wednesday.

MASSACHUSETTS DOG WALKER SURROUNDED BY PACK OF COYOTES: HOW TO KEEP KIDS, DOGS SAFE

She famous that Riverside Park has multipurpose fields with two massive pavilions on both aspect of an outdated volleyball subject to the west.

“To the west of that could be a closely wooded space that leads all the way down to the river,” McDonald wrote. “As a result of the river is so low, individuals can stroll down there.”

“Canine house owners are extremely discouraged from strolling their pets close to any physique of water as a result of dense alligator inhabitants, particularly throughout alligator mating season,” she continued.

An alligator that attacked a canine in Florida (not pictured) has been killed. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee says, “Alligators are a conservation success story in Florida. Florida has a wholesome and steady alligator inhabitants, which is estimated at 1.3 million and consists of alligators.” Nuisance alligators are typically longer than 4 toes in size and pose a menace to residents. (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee )

The alligator that bit the couple’s canine has been killed, in keeping with FOX 35 Orlando.

FLORIDA WOMAN ATTACKED BY BEAR IN HER OWN DRIVEWAY WHILE WALKING HER DOG 

“On Might 13, 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) obtained a name from a person who reported that an approximate 12’ alligator bit her canine at Riverside Skate Park (1608 Lockwood Blvd., Oviedo, Fl. 32765),” a spokesperson for the FWC wrote in an e mail to Fox Information Digital on Wednesday. “A allow was issued on the course of the Metropolis of Oviedo Parks and Recreation. A trapper responded and eliminated a 12’6″ alligator, which has been transferred to a processor.”

The FWC’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) proactively addresses alligator threats in developed areas by dispatching contracted nuisance alligator trappers who deal with elimination.

Nuisance alligators are typically longer than 4 toes in size and pose a menace to residents. People and pets ought to preserve their distance from alligators, in keeping with the FWC.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

The FWC’s SNAP webpage says captured nuisance alligators are euthanized as a result of relocation doesn’t cease nuisance alligators from returning to their seize websites, or surviving distant areas the place competing, territorial animals dwell.

Florida has an alligator inhabitants of about 1.3 million throughout the state’s 67 counties, in keeping with the FWC.

To reduce the dangers of experiencing an alligator assault, the FWC advises that pets be leashed and refrained from shorelines of water our bodies.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

People and pets ought to solely swim in designated swimming areas throughout daytime, in keeping with the FWC. The environmental company additionally advises in opposition to permitting pets to swim in contemporary or brackish water as a result of alligators can sometimes be present in these environments.

It is “unlawful and harmful” to feed wild alligators and folks ought to chorus from doing so as a result of it might probably make alligators “lose their pure wariness” of people and make them “affiliate individuals with the supply of meals,” in keeping with the FWC.

“Alligators turn out to be extra seen and lively throughout spring and summer time,” the FWC wrote to Fox Information Digital. “When temperatures rise, their metabolism will increase, and so they start looking for meals.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Florida residents and guests who have to report a probably harmful alligator can name the FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).