In an act of sheer bravery, a Florida woman and her dog are making headlines after fighting off a six-foot alligator during a terrifying alligator attack that nearly cost her dog life.
Dog Attacked During Evening Walk
On Tuesday, April 1, Kim Spencer, a Hillsborough County resident and elementary school teacher, was enjoying a quiet evening walk with her beloved 9-year-old rescue dog, Kona, when the unimaginable happened.
Out of nowhere, a six-foot-long alligator emerged from a nearby lake, lunging directly at her dog. In a flash, the reptile clamped its jaws around Kona’s entire head, leaving Spencer in shock — but ready to act.
“She’s facing it, it’s facing her, and it jumped out and got her. Her whole head was inside its mouth,” Spencer told local news outlets 7 News Miami and Fox 13.
From Fear to Fierceness
Despite admitting she’s always been afraid of wildlife — “gators, snakes, you name it” — Spencer’s instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, she jumped on the alligator’s back in an effort to pry open its jaws.
“I stopped thinking and just dove on it, jumped on it and straddled it,” she said. “As lady-like as that is, I was trying to pry its jaws open.”
Within moments, and almost miraculously, the alligator released its grip and retreated back into the water. Both Spencer and Kona managed to escape — alive but injured.
Aftermath of the Alligator Attack
Kona suffered deep bite wounds and Spencer received stitches for her own injuries. Despite the pain, Spencer has no regrets.
“I would do it all over again,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let her be taken away.”
The shocking alligator attack has left Spencer determined to never walk near open water again. She now sticks to gated areas of her community and is urging others to do the same.
“They need to know to stay away,” she warned. “Don’t go near them, don’t feed them.”
Alligator Attacks in Florida: A Real Threat
Florida residents are no strangers to alligator sightings, especially near lakes, ponds, and swamps. But incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the real dangers lurking in the water.
Wildlife officials continually stress the importance of:
- Avoiding walking pets near bodies of water, especially during dusk and dawn.
- Never feeding alligators, as it leads them to associate humans and pets with food.
- Reporting alligator sightings to local wildlife authorities.
Final Thoughts
Kim Spencer’s fearless reaction to this alligator attack saved her dog’s life and reminded us all of the bond between humans and their pets. Her story is not just one of bravery — it’s a call to action for pet owners everywhere to stay alert and respect the risks posed by Florida wildlife.
