Giant Gator At Venice Park May Have Killed 2 German Shepherds

VENICE, FL -- After a week-long hunt, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have captured a 13-foot alligator that may be responsible for the death of two dogs in Shamrock Park and Nature Center, 3900 Shamrock Drive, Venice.

The 13-foot-long gator was captured Sunday, July 8.

Although not confirmed, authorities believe this may be the gator that viciously attacked two German shepherds that were walking with their owners through the park on July 1. (See related story).

One dog was killed and the other is missing and presumed dead.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Englewood residents Susan Kosterman and Dr. Alan Knapp were walking the trails at Shamrock Park with their dogs, Rio, a 6-year-old male, and Lucy, a 5-year-old female. The walking trail along the eastern edge of the park abuts a swampy area. Both dogs were off leash briefly and not in sight of the owners.

Knapp told deputies he heard one loud yelp from one of the dogs followed by a splashing sound. Then he saw Rio jump into the water. Knapp then “heard more yelps and saw Rio come out of the water bleeding heavily from his neck and head area,” according to the sheriff’s report.

Knapp and Kosterman called for Lucy but she never came.

The couple took Rio to the Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Port Charlotte where he was euthanized due to the severity of his injuries. The dog’s upper and lower jaws were crushed and he had several large puncture wounds, consistent with an alligator attack.

A subsequent search for Lucy by FWC officials was unsuccessful.

Dogs are allowed at the park on leashes and a small sign at the park entrance warns park-goers that the park is an alligator habitat.

However, this is the first gator attack that has occurred at the park, according to the sheriff's office.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Supervisor Carl Sellitti, Sheriff’s Sgt Tim Bauer and Deputy Rob Lowen assisted with capturing the giant gator until the trapper arrived to take it away.

In his 20 years with the sheriff’s office, Sellittiu said this is the largest gator he’s ever been called to help capture.

Under FWC guidelines, nuisance gators are killed rather than relocated.

Image via Sarasota Sheriff

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