There are lot of stupid people in this world. Sad for the dog. I guess the owner learned a lesson.

[QUOTE=Tom&JenC;2094706]Maybe a sign or 2 not to walk dogs near the water. A newcomer or visitor might not know the danger. Most people here have never even seen a gator apart from a zoo.
On the other hand The Villages should have a full time alligator control crew.
Catch and release a certain percentage into the everglades and a certain percentage to market.[/QUOTE]

Which market were you thinking of releasing them in?
Not Marion I hope!:icon_wink:

Alligators aren't just a threat to dogs.

Disney gator attack: 2-year-old Nebraska boy found dead - CNN

Alligator meat is pretty popular fare down here in Florida. It's a staple at many restaurants.

It is not uncommon to relocate an alligator if it kills or eats something it shouldn't. The problem is not that the gator did anything wrong, it is that they become accustomed. If they eat a small dog once, then the next time they get hungry and a small dog is around, they munch on it. Or a small person, or whatever.

It is certainly the dog owners fault. Sad but true. We do live with a lot of wild animals and need to be aware they are WILD animals, and they were here first. Beware, be cautious, and you will be find. Very few wild animals are actively aggressive. Feed them, or any them and they can get "cranky" - kind of like me.

When I lived in S Florida, I frequently went to the Keys and while they I had to have Gator Tail Burgers. A bit more "gamey" than venison but not bad at all.

Alligators here before us? So? Trees were here also but we cut them down and use them. Poor trees. We are here now and we are the top of the food chain. Sorry about that....not really. If gators are a threat, then we get rid of them. Eat them, make useful products out of them or stuff them.....who cares? We are here now and why should we be concerned about their welfare? Because they look neat? Because the Yankees love to take photos of them to send to their Northern friends and family? Sorry, but humans get the top slot in The Villages. Pets get the second slot and gators can be moved or eaten.

And then they call animal control and have them slaughtered. Sad.

The owner should have gotten a ticket for the unleashed dogs.

The other Villages site mentioned that the killed dog was pit bull sized. Sad all around.

Dog is also tasty. Asa adobo in the Philippines.

5K fine
 

I personally would like to see a FIVE THOUSAND to the owner for having the dogs off leash and for the cost of getting rid of the alligator.

Its a reptile, get over it.

There’s no cost to get rid of the gator. The trapper gets the meat or the money for the meat.

From a practical point of view, yes, we are at the top of the food chain. But, there is no point in my opinion of wasting species. We never know where they next miracle drug or whatever will come from. I see no point is just killing or moving something just because it is "annoying" some people.

My use of the term "gators were here first" is not meant to say they have priority, it means they are all around, and will, unless completely eradicated, they will show up, and so, people need to be aware that they are living where wild animals are going to show up.

Bears are being seen with increasing frequency in city suburbs where developers have built in the bears normal range. That reduces their food and they go "looking" for more food. Some people leave food out which then attracts more bears and problems happen. Again, my comment was simple we need to be aware of what is here.