Florida Woman, ​84, ⁣Fights Off⁤ 7-Foot Alligator During ‍Walk with Dog

Del Boppel, a resident of North Fort Myers, Florida, recounted her terrifying encounter with a 7-foot-long alligator from her hospital bed. The 84-year-old woman said she was taking her small dog for a daily walk when the incident occurred.

Del described ⁣the alligator’s sudden movement as “like a torpedo.” She said, “I’ve never seen anything move ⁣so fast in my life.​ I didn’t have time to think. …⁤ All of a sudden, I had this bad feeling.” ​Her instinct was right, as the ⁢alligator was about to pounce on her.

Neighbor Patty Cuppy told police that her window was open and she “heard ​someone screaming non-stop.” Del said she was walking‌ her⁣ dog at a​ mobile home park and was near a​ pond when she saw the​ alligator’s eyes looking at her. Before​ she could react, she threw her puppy into the⁤ air and ​the alligator bit her. ​”It took a big chunk⁤ out of me,” she said.

Patty Cuppy, who ran out to help her neighbor when she ​heard Del screaming, ‍described the scene: “When I got‍ there, the dog was covered in​ blood and her (Del’s) legs were completely‍ exposed from the⁤ knees to the ankles.” Despite her injuries, ⁣Del​ remained calm‍ and collected.

Del ⁢fought back against the alligator, kicking it with her left leg and hitting its ‍muzzle, which caused it to ​let go. She continued to ⁤fight, determined to survive. After a few ⁢swipes, the alligator ran away,⁢ but not before taking chunks of flesh from Del’s ⁢legs and fingers.

Despite her ordeal, Del remains⁤ optimistic and is in good spirits at the hospital. When asked who she would save first if⁢ there were still alligators and children,‍ she smiled and⁤ said, “Probably the dog first.”

Del had previously complained to her community about the large⁣ alligators in⁣ the area, but no action was taken. After the attack, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tracked down the alligator and removed⁢ it.