‘I freaking fought an alligator and won’: Florida woman punches 5-foot gator in the face to save her 4-month-old puppy from creek attack

A Florida woman turned into a hero when she fought off a five-foot alligator with her bare hands to save her puppy from a deadly attack. Danie Wright, 53, was walking her four-month-old Shih Tzu named Dax near a stagnant creek behind her Land O’ Lakes home when the reptile struck without warning.

The creek, covered in watermoss, provided perfect cover for the alligator to launch its surprise attack. Wright explained that she heard a squeal and turned to see the gator had grabbed her puppy by the collar and was dragging him toward the water. The alligator’s front teeth had pierced through Dax’s collar as it began pulling the small dog into the creek.

According to The New York Times, Wright, a former college rugby player from Massachusetts, immediately went into combat mode and started punching the reptile. “I freaking fought an alligator and won,” she said after the harrowing encounter. She repeatedly struck the gator in the eye until it loosened its grip enough for her to pull Dax to safety.

How Wright managed to overpower the dangerous predator

During the struggle, Wright managed to flip the five-foot alligator onto its back while continuing to punch, elbow, kick and knee the reptile. However, as she was rescuing her dog, the alligator grabbed her left arm in its mouth. The determined woman kept fighting until the gator released its grip and she could pull her arm free from its jaws.

Wright suffered several bite wounds to her arm during the attack but did not require stitches. She received bandages at the scene, along with a tetanus shot and antibiotics. Her puppy Dax escaped the encounter completely uninjured, though Wright noted she was covered in moss and blood after the fight.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trappers later removed the alligator from Wright’s property. The incident serves as a reminder that Florida’s challenging wildlife situations continue to create dangerous encounters for residents. The FWC explains that dogs are more susceptible to alligator attacks than humans because the reptiles mistake them for natural prey and can be drawn in by their barking.

Wright is using her experience to warn other pet owners about the dangers lurking in Florida waters. She stressed that people need to be careful with their dogs around water because alligators are serious threats. “Just be careful with your dogs. These alligators are no joke. I mean, 15 feet, he came out to get him, and I didn’t see him,” Wright warned.

The longtime Florida resident of 20 years advised dog owners to be more alert when walking their pets near water and even suggested leaving phones at home to stay focused. Wright’s story joins other recent accounts of heroic pet owners who risk their lives to protect their beloved animals from dangerous situations.