Woman attacked by alligator in North Fort Myers

Reporter: Haley Zarcone Writer: Elyssa Morataya
Published: Updated:

A woman is recovering after an alligator bit her leg while she was walking her dog in North Fort Myers, officials said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to reports of the attack around 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

FWC and a neighbor WINK News spoke with both said that a woman was walking her dog off of Slater Road near James Road when the alligator bit her.

That neighbor told WINK News he heard screaming and then saw this woman lying on the ground with her dog. Her injuries were so bad that he said he saw bone.

FWC trucks were still pulling up while WINK News was on the scene. At least four trucks and one Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The alligator was caught and measured to be 7 feet and 3 inches long.

WINK News reporter Haley Zarcone spoke with the neighbor who called 911.

“I ran down there to Dale, that’s the neighbor, Dale, and she was laying on the ground with her dog and said that the alligator came up to get the dog,” said Mark Burlingham. “She pulled the dog out of the way and the gator got her leg and arm and hand.”

FWC said that the woman was taken to the hospital to receive treatment for her injuries.

It remains unclear what condition the woman is in.

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