Florida man watched in horror as 4-foot alligator locked its jaw around his little pup — then risked it all by shoving his hand inside its jaws

In a quiet Florida neighborhood where people and wildlife share the same space, one man’s morning walk with his dog turned into an unforgettable moment. What started as a peaceful Sunday stroll by the pond ended with a life-or-death struggle that showed the bond between a man and his best friend. When the elderly man saw a small alligator grab his tiny puppy, he knew he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

As reported by USA Today, Richard Wilbanks and his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Gunner, had been inseparable from the moment they met. Gunner snuggled into Richard’s side at a breeder’s home in Miami, and from that day on, the pair were rarely apart. Richard brought Gunner home to his wife, Louise, in Estero, where the family enjoyed a life close to nature. Their home sat next to a wild preserve, and they loved the quiet beauty that came with it. But that peaceful connection with nature was put to the test one day in late October 2020, when danger came without warning.

While walking near a pond by their home, a nearly 4-foot alligator suddenly lunged from the water and grabbed Gunner. “It was like a missile,” Richard recalled. “It had Gunner in a vise grip and I just rushed in.” Without a second thought, Richard jumped into the water to wrestle Gunner from the gator’s jaws. He eventually freed the pup, though not without injury to himself. Gunner was in shock, and both he and Richard were bleeding when they returned to the house. While Richard patched up his hands at home, Gunner was taken to an animal hospital where he was treated for a puncture wound and water in his lungs. He recovered quickly and was soon back to greeting visitors with typical puppy energy. “A new leash on life,” Richard said with a smile.

The entire incident was caught on video thanks to trail cameras set up by the Florida Wildlife Federation and the fStop Foundation. The organizations had placed the cameras to track wildlife behavior as part of a project called Sharing the Landscape, aimed at showing how humans and animals coexist in residential areas. Meredith Budd from the Federation said the footage was a reminder that, “While this video was shocking and I’m glad everyone was okay, I’m glad it’s a learning opportunity for the importance of respecting wildlife and taking precautions to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Richard and Louise, who moved from Texas four years earlier to be near family, chose their Estero home for its connection to nature. From seahorse paintings to hand-stitched herons on the walls, their home reflects their love of the outdoors. Richard has even spotted deer, bobcats, and a panther near their yard. Despite the scare, he holds no grudge against the gator. “He’s still swimming out there,” he said calmly. For Richard, the experience only deepened his respect for the balance between people and wildlife. His advice to other pet owners in Florida was simple but serious: "Make sure to leash your dog and keep them 10 feet away from the water."