Grandfather Throws Himself to Rescue Dog Bitten by Crocodile

3-Month-Old Puppy Bitten by 1m Crocodile
"Do Not Want Crocodile Euthanized"

Richard Wilbanks (74) rescuing his dog bitten by a crocodile at the end of last month. Photo by Dan Mitchell, Facebook video capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A man in his 70s living in the United States quickly jumped into a pond to save his dog after it was bitten by an alligator.

According to CNN and The Lad Bible in the US on the 22nd (local time), Richard Wilbanks (74), who lives in Florida, was walking by a pond with his dog "Gunner" at the end of last month.

Gunner is a 3-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Suddenly, an alligator burst out of the water at an incredible speed and grabbed Gunner.

Richard described the situation, saying, "The alligator came out of the water like a missile," adding, "I never thought an alligator could be that fast. It was so fast."

Reacting quickly, Richard followed into the pond, lifted the alligator holding his dog out of the water, and tried to force its mouth open.

Richard Wilbanks (74) rescuing his dog bitten by a crocodile at the end of last month. Photo by Dan Mitchell, Facebook video capture.

Footage captured by a nearby closed-circuit (CCTV) camera shows Richard initially struggling with all his strength to open the alligator's mouth inside the pond, but it did not seem easy.

This alligator, an American alligator species, was a juvenile just over 1 meter long but appeared to have a strong bite force.

Richard dragged the alligator to the edge of the pond, pinned it down with both knees, and after a 17-second struggle, barely managed to open its mouth.

Gunner, who had been whining, finally escaped from the alligator's mouth.

The video of this incident quickly spread online, and when asked about the dog's condition, Richard replied, "The dog suffered a puncture wound to the abdomen, but fortunately, he is recovering well."

Richard also said about the incident, "Whether it was adrenaline or instinct, I unconsciously jumped into the pond," adding, "Catching the alligator was not difficult, but opening its jaws was extremely hard."

His companion dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 'Gunner', rescued from owner Richard Wilbanks (74). Photo by Dan Mitchell, captured from Facebook video.

Richard, who was bitten on the hand by the alligator during the incident, received a tetanus shot.

He said, "(Wild animals) are part of nature and part of our lives," adding, "I do not want the alligator that bit my dog to be euthanized."

He added, "Pets are like family to us."

Richard still walks the trail where the incident occurred with his dog Gunner. However, he keeps a distance of 3 meters from the edge of the pond and now always keeps his dog in front so that it stays within his sight.