84-year-old Florida woman fights off alligator to save dog

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA) — An 84-year-old Florida woman fought off an alligator and saved her dog after the 7-foot reptile lunged at the pair during a walk.

Del Boppel told NBC affiliate WBBH she had a gut feeling that something was wrong just moments before the attack, which happened at a mobile home park in North Fort Myers last week.

“It was like a torpedo. I didn’t see anything go that fast in my life. I didn’t have time to think,” Boppel said.

Boppel threw her Shih-Tzu, Queen, up in the air before the alligator chomped. She started punching the gator, and it eventually scurried off, but not before taking a bite out of her hand and leg.

The attack landed Boppel in the hospital, but she said she’s in good spirits because she’ll return home to her dog soon.

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She told WBBH that her previous complaints about large alligators at the mobile home community went unanswered.

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