Grisham, a 10-year-old rescue dog now living in Florida with his owner was attacked two weeks ago at a public park in St. Petersburg.
Jarod Fiedler said he took Grisham for a walk and bathroom break at the Booker Creek Park after dark.
Fiedler said the dog will only use the bathroom when off his leash, but that two seconds turned tragic.
“I just heard splashing and yelping,” said Fiedler.
He went on to say he thinks his dog survived being attacked because he was neglected and abandoned at a Walmart in Atlanta.
Fiedler said his dog’s skin was flapping in his stomach area, but didn’t puncture through.
The St. Petersburg man rushed Grisham to The Animal Emergency Clinic off 22nd Avenue North in St. Petersburg, “people need to know where the closest clinic is after hours.”
The clinic only open after 6 pm until the next morning.
This is not the only attack, just last week, Bolt the dog was attacked and killed by a gator at a public park in Pinellas County.
Bolt, 1, allegedly got out of his leash and went through a hole in the fencing at Joe’s Creek Park where he was attacked by an alligator.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the parks department sent crews out to fix and survey several openings to protect people and pets from getting into the water way area.
The Fish and Wildlife Commission did not remove either of these gators.
If you should see an alligator at a public park, you should contact your local parks department.
Information on living with alligators in Florida:
- Alligator bite incidents are a very rare occurrence in Florida.
- FWC works diligently to keep Floridians and our visitors safe and informed on what to do if they spot a potentially dangerous alligator.
-
The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) is one component of Florida’s comprehensive Alligator Management Program.
- People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).
- SNAP uses contracted nuisance alligator trappers throughout the state to remove alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.
