[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I was walking my dog on a leash at the Lynnhaven Postal Center/Swimming pool at 9 a.m. and a coyote crossed Churchill Downs not 20 feet in front of us.

At the sight of the coyote I was scared that it would try to snatch my dog but fortunately it kept running across the golf course.

I had prepared myself to fight the coyote if it approached us but I cannot see me ever jumping into a pond to wrestle a gator for a dog. I would do that if another person were threatened but just do not see doing this for an animal.

The Villagers man who belly flopped onto the gator sure showed some true grit.

Maybe, this man has some rodeo background?? I just do not see many people jumping on top of an alligator unless they have some experience with this kind of animal control.

I would be frozen stiff. Not able to move a muscle.

That's why I called him a hero.

If you read the entire Orlando Sentinel article (hyperlink on dog poll post), scrolling down to the bottom under the advertisements, it mentioned he was a retired corporate lawyer from Iowa.......beautiful state; one of our favorites........but no alligators there, that's for sure.

Humans can just surprise even themselves when "in the moment".

p.s. I'm glad you you have spotted one of those rogue coyotes. When I reported, a few months back, that we had seen one in October 2011 in Creekside Landings, it was met with ridicule. Lets face it, these critters are all over. Another person had spotted one on their villa wall........ Believe me, we know what they look like.
They are in Colorado as well as Vermont. Better to have people "be in the know" re alligators and coyotes so that they can be prepared. Take care.

[raynitsche]

Thank you shcisamax

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

Please don't turn this into a bashing of this man who, regardless of how you feel about his actions, did a monumental save of his pet. Can we all just say something positive to what must have been a terrifying moment? I don't know if I could have done that and am in awe. Frankly, I am surprised there was a seven footer since I have repeatedly been told they are taken away if they reach five feet. So this is a nice warning for us all. These gators are nothing to fool with...I saw a three footer next to my ball and was most happy to let him have it. We do need to be respectful of their space and I am sure this unlikely hero will not be making the same mistake twice and we can all be reminded of what can.. and does..happen.

Couldn't agree with you more. The man may have an invisible fence for all you know so stop it already with the leash laws. Also he chose to have the dog loose and faced the consequences - didn't ask anyone else to handle the situation - literally jumped right in. So give him credit for saving his best friend and risking his own life to save him and stop with the judgement and criticsm. I say congratulations on a job well done - and who knows that gator may have grabbed a child next time.

[English Ivy]

But there is no reason this had to happen. Dogs should never be allowed anywhere near water in The Villages because you don't know if a gator is lurking. I see people walking their dogs on a leash around ponds and think they are just asking for trouble. Our dogs rely on us to protect them because humans are supposed to be smarter than dogs. In hindsight I'm sure he will never allow his dog to be put in this dangerous situation again, but it all could have easily been avoided.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by EdVinMass

Yes, the poor gator is dead. But today some beautiful water loving bird is happily paddling about in that pond instead of in that gator’s stomach.

Yes, but that is the nature of things...................not tempting a gator with a small dog. The dog was in the gator's feeding area and became fair game.

[jtdraig]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Couldn't agree with you more. The man may have an invisible fence for all you know so stop it already with the leash laws. Also he chose to have the dog loose and faced the consequences - didn't ask anyone else to handle the situation - literally jumped right in. So give him credit for saving his best friend and risking his own life to save him and stop with the judgement and criticsm. I say congratulations on a job well done - and who knows that gator may have grabbed a child next time.

When you post on this website, you get every conceivable kind of response so you just have to roll with the flow. You could post something like "the grass is normally green" and you will have 7 responses from every possible spectrum. The guy saved his dog. Hurray for the good guys. Get over it and let it go.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by jtdraig

When you post on this website, you get every conceivable kind of response so you just have to roll with the flow. You could post something like "the grass is normally green" and you will have 7 responses from every possible spectrum. The guy saved his dog. Hurray for the good guys. Get over it and let it go.

That's the point of this web site, isn't it? So you CAN get 7 different viewpoints. Everyone gets a say. You accept the ones you agree with, throw out those you don't, and maybe one or two change your mind on some issue.

[samhass]

We live in Bridgeport Lake Sumter and the gator was in the canal. I am in awe of Steve
He and I both nurture and release Monarch butterflies by supplying them with their host plants and taking the caterpillars into safe places until they turn into butterflies. Steve has gotten many people involved with butterfly habitat. He comes to my house for extra asclepias and ends up helping me pull weeds, too. What a man!
Isn't it curious that you see this on TV and surrounding papers but not in the Sun? I wonder why? Could they be worried about selling waterfront lots? I am right on Lake Sumter and love it, gators or not. Alligators live in our waterways. Just be vigilant.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I'm glad that Steve's dog is safe. I'm glad that Steve is safe. I'm just saying that this gator shouldn't have had to die for doing what is in his wildlife nature. Steve let his dog run loose, and now the gator is dead. I just can't see making a trophy out of this episode. My honest opinion. We have a responsibility to all animals, domestic and wild.

It appeared to me the dog was loose in its own yard and yes the gator is dead. I personally wouldn't make and keep a trophy, I'd sell it.

My personal opinion, I don't care about the gators, I'd be okay with them all being rounded up. While they're at it they can pick up all the bad bugs and snakes too.

Saw Steve & Bounce on the news, thank God he went in after the gator or it would haunt him the rest of his life. I think Steve and Bounce should have a parade.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Patty55

It appeared to me the dog was loose in its own yard and yes the gator is dead. I personally wouldn't make and keep a trophy, I'd sell it.

My personal opinion, I don't care about the gators, I'd be okay with them all being rounded up. While they're at it they can pick up all the bad bugs and snakes too.

Saw Steve & Bounce on the news, thank God he went in after the gator or it would haunt him the rest of his life. I think Steve and Bounce should have a parade.

Not sure about the parade, but I agree with the haunt him comment. I would rather die than live in sorrow and regret. I guess it is the Iowa Upbringing I had.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Not sure about the parade, but I agree with the haunt him comment. I would rather die than live in sorrow and regret. I guess it is the Iowa Upbringing I had.

This is a very strong statement - giving your life for a dog. Somehow I just don't get it.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

This is a very strong statement - giving your life for a dog. Somehow I just don't get it.

Maybe you are lucky enough to have never tragically lost pet that you loved. You replay it in your mind constantly, it haunts you, it changes your entire life and the way you live it.

I would risk my life to save any of my animals because if you don't your life is never what it was anyway.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

This is a very strong statement - giving your life for a dog. Somehow I just don't get it.

I would not give my life for a dog, but for my personal dog companion, I would risk my life willingly in an attempt to save the live of that Companion. I know a man has a good chance against a 7 foot gator in a small pond and I would take the odds without reservation. We are not talking about a 13 foot Nile Croc , but a 7 foot Florida alligator. I and I say I could not stand on the bank and watch my dog be eaten alive by a pond gator without trying to save it. Again, just my country boy Iowa way of being brought up.

Lou

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Patty55

Maybe you are lucky enough to have never tragically lost pet that you loved. You replay it in your mind constantly, it haunts you, it changes your entire life and the way you live it.

I would risk my life to save any of my animals because if you don't your life is never what it was anyway.

We had a dog put down three years ago after an enormous amount of sole searching and the firm assurance of our trusted Veterinarian that it was in fact PAST TIME TO PUT HER DOWN. Even so, three years later, I still look at her picture and wonder if there might have been something else we could have done. She was only 17 years old.

[tenchie]

I read about this story today and thank goodness it had a happy ending for all -
but really bashing for not following leash laws? Correct me if I'm wrong but wasnt this man on his own private property? Curious I went to the Sumter County FL website to reasearch this and the rule states:

What are the leash laws in Sumter County?
County Code 4-10 states that all dogs must be confined on owners property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owners property.

Otherwise a citation will be issued for the animal running free.


This was a rentention pond in the back of his property? -- Should he have been wary there could be something there? Maybe - but he didnt break any laws that I can see .....also it's not out of the realm of possibities that if it hadnt been Bounce it could have just as easily been a child or human.... while it's tragic the animal had to be destroyed if it's showing this kind of bravery it's best it dealt with now before something more happens....