Alligator Attacks Black Lab in Tampa

An evening stroll in a Tampa park took a tragic turn Sunday night when the dog a woman was walking chased a bird into the Hillsborough River.

The woman watched as an alligator attacked the black Labrador named Haze, dragging him under water near the dam at Rowlett Park, 2401 Yukon St. E..

Hoping to save the dog, Natasha Lee, 29, waded into the water, heading to a small island in the river.

Tampa police received a call about the incident just after 7 p.m., an email from the agency to media stated.

Lt. John Preyer was the first on the scene and called in some backup. Preyer and Officers Clegg and McKee waded into the water and met Lee on the island. More units were called out to provide cover as the three officers used a guide rope to help Lee back to shore.

While trappers were called to the scene to help locate the large gator that attacked the dog, “Haze and the alligator have not been located,” the email said.

See Also:

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• Gator Brings Traffic to a Halt
• Gator Strolled Up to a Florida McDonald’s
• Horse Wins Battle With Gator by Decision
• Gators on the Move as Temperatures Rise

Lee, who is from Washington state, was not injured in the incident. Haze belongs to Tampa resident Eve Morehead, 32. The 75-pound lab is 3-year-old old.

Alligator encounters are common this time of year as warm temperatures increase the creatures’ activity levels.

“All reptiles are more active in the warmer months,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Gary Morse told Patch. “That’s just the cold-blooded creatures’ (way). Their metabolism increases and they do become active.”

That activity has prompted so many calls over the years the state has set up a hotline to report nuisance gators. The number is 1-866-FWC-GATOR.

Last week an 8-foot gator took a stroll up to a St. Petersburg home. In April, a critter paid a Brevard County McDonald’s a visit and in May a gator brought traffic to a halt on U.S. 41 in the Fort Myers area. A horse and an alligator also had a bit of a sparring match in Odessa in late May.

Image via Shutterstock