By Julianne McShane -
NBC News
An 85-year-old woman died Monday while trying to defend her dog from an alligator attack in Florida while out for a walk, authorities said.
The incident occurred in Spanish Lakes Fairways, a 55+ community located in Fort Pierce, about 67 miles north of West Palm Beach, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The remains of Proteo, the rescue dog who died in Turkey, arrive in Mexico
Feb 17, 202300:34
Residents told WPTV, the local NBC News station in West Palm Beach, that the woman fought off the alligator after it grabbed the dog.
The witnesses called the 911 emergency telephone number, a spokesman for the commission explained.
Authorities managed to rescue the body of the woman, whose identity was not revealed, while an alligator expert captured the large reptile, according to the official.
The alligator was between 10 and 14 feet long and weighed between 600 and 700 pounds, WPTV reported.
[Former congresswoman marries her dog "disappointed in men"]
“It was definitely a fight,” explained Robert Lilly, the alligator trapper. We hooked him on the bottom. He never surfaced. He stayed down the whole time. We were able to get him a second hook and a stiff line so he could come up.” detailed about the operation.
The dog survived the attack, the commission spokesman said, although its condition was not specified.
Officials at Spanish Lakes Fairways declined to comment on Tuesday.
The Zetas cut off the front legs of 'Pie de Limón'.
She now she competes for an important prize
Feb 17, 202300:24
There are about 1.3 million alligators in Florida, but attacks with serious injuries are rare, according to the commission.
The agency urges people concerned about the presence of alligators to call its hotline 866-392-4286, which sends trappers "to resolve the situation."
An alligator is considered a nuisance if it is larger than four feet.
The commission warned that they should not be fed and distances must be kept from them, not only people but also pets.