True Blue Dog Defends Woman Against Alligator Attack

Monday, July 30, 2001 - USA

Job Description, DOG:

1. Must be somewhat fuzzy and must wag tail (or nub) at every available opportunity, especially within close proximity of coffee tables and breakable objects.

2. Must protect family members and extended family (yes, even the in-laws ...see below) from natural and unnatural threats including—but not limited to—burglars, coyotes, the vacuum cleaner, door-to-door salespersons and alligators.

Oooh, that last one gets them every time; that must be the reason why there aren't more animals pursuing a "dog" career.  But still it happens, and once in a while there even comes the opportunity for one to show off that legendary canine valor, as in the following example.

The Associated Press reported last Friday that an otherwise deadly incident was averted by "Blue" the Australian Blue Heeler.  In Fort Myers, FL at about 9pm last Tuesday, 83-year-old Ruth Gay slipped and fell in the back yard of the family home at 2229 Santiago Ave, dislocating her shoulders, breaking her nose and sustaining injuries that left her immobilized.  Ms. Gay recalls hollering for help in vain, as the family had not yet returned from a trip to the beach; the property is isolated with two empty homes across the street, a vacant lot next door and a canal nearby.

Blue, the two-year-old faithful family pooch, came to her side and laid beside her as she petted him.  Then suddenly Blue became agitated, growled and dashed off into the darkness.

Slightly thereafter was when the Gibsons returned home at about 10pm.  Albert recalls, "The first thing my mother-in-law said to me was: 'I think I really messed up because Blue got killed."'

But on the contrary, not only had Blue survived the skirmish victoriously, the 35-pound pooch had also been responsible for leading Albert to his injured mother-in-law.  When their car pulled up the dog raced to meet them, dripping wet. "He was going wild, barking and jumping. He led me right to her," said Mr. Gibson.

Blue licks his wounds.
(Photo: Todd Stubing / News-Press)

As Ms. Gay was treated at Lee Memorial Hospital and Blue was treated at Suburban Animal Hospital, the details surfaced; the unseen assailant was one of three 6- to 12-foot long alligators that had been spotted earlier that day at the canal.  Days of heavy rains were responsible for flooding the waters over the bank.

Sources:
AP Newswire, The News-Press, The Miami Herald

Special thanks to Manny, our newswire scooper from Denver!