That's how they get rid of them. They shoot them. As far as I know that relocating stuff you see on TV is just that. TV stuff.

I think he did a wonderful brave thing... I have lived in Florida for over 30 years and gators are not to be tangled with, that gator should of been removed earlier I can't believe he was the first to see it...

I disagree with condemning the dog owner because the gator was killed. Humankind has priority over animal life, as much as we love and value them.....

"28 God blessed them and said to them (man and woman), “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” --Genesis 1:28

"Dont bash the man”? If the reporter was accurate and I quote " he plans to keep a closer eye on Bounce when she's near the shoreline" he needs to bashed, in my opinion. If he doesn't keep Bounce on a leash, he deserves to be cited for animal cruelty!

I see what you say as different than giving up your life for the pet. I agree most would do something.

Having heart, human kindness and understsanding makes for a peaceful world. Horrible incidents happen, we all know, and for some they personally experience terrible things. I watched the video on this incident. The lake is by his yard. He was trimming his tree. The dog ran to the lake. Things happen in life, horrible things, to the best people who take great care and pride in what they do. But I always say, life changes in a minute. You are healthy, and then you are not; you are driving, there is an accident; you are walking, you take a fall; you are trimming a tree and your dog goes to the lake. Everything changes in an instant. We are not G-d, we are human. We make mistakes. Life happnes. Lessons are learned. Criticizing others is easy to do. I think best to always look inward to see how each of us can be a better person and support others to find a bright spot in their own lives when something horrible happens. No one wants to really see an alligator die of course, how sad. We have now become more enlightened then we were before this happened on this issue of the safety needed around water, alligators and pets. Most importantly this man is safe. He did not lose his hand, he is ok and how lucky his "Bounce" is ok too. Let's rejoice in his well being and learn to respect nature and its boundaries a little more than we already did.

What about the gator,do you think he should be cited for animal cruelty?

I would call Steve a hero and would love to have him as a neighbor. Someone who sees his loved one being eaten alive and risk's his life to save him is a man of action and someone I admire. As for the alligator, I hate to see them culled but we do live among wildlife and if a pet is threatened, action is required. This is still a free country and as stated above, a leash is not required on one's property; I have a feeling that he will be much more proactive in watching Bounce in the future. The biggest danger Steve faces now is infection from being submerged in a retention pond with an open wound. Hopefully he's on strong antibiotics.

Steve is one brave man for saving his dog from the jaws of a gator and thankfully not seriously injured.

If a situation like that would occur to either of my dogs I can only hope to muster up the same courage.

Human v Humane
 

The geographical area of discussion is one with alligators aplenty. The dog owner was no doubt very aware of that fact and that explains the reporters comments of the dog owners conscious awareness and keeping an eye on his pet.

Having said that I wonder what his wife, children, et al would have said had this guy been killed? Do you suppose they would have praised him for his gallant act, an act that would have pre-maturely taken him away from them.

Its one thing to be humane toward creatures its quite another to place their value above that of the human race.

I opine you decide.

Some people just don't get it.

Maybe they could relocate all of the gators in TV to Del Webb, Stonecrest, Solavita etc.???

Not Stonecrest, they'd probably come running down that dirt path.

I was actually thinking more of their natural habitat. Hellooo, this entire place is a man-made illusion, why do we have to have real gators?

I agree.
And I think that you do get it!

I think they should remove all gators over 4 foot from the lakes. What if he was down by the lake weeding and the gator got him? This has happened elsewhere in Florida.