Suzan Marciano, 74, didn’t have time to think when she saw an alligator approaching her Golden Retriever mix. They had walked through that Florida park hundreds of times without a problem, but today was different. As the alligator grabbed the dog named Nalu, Marciano jumped in to push the alligator away from the 11-year-old dog.
It was the ultimate act of love and bravery, and Nalu is alive and well because of it. Marciano and Nalu are still recovering physically and emotionally, but they are both happy that they survived the terrible situation together.
No Time to Think
Marciano and his two dogs have been walking Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in Boca Raton for about eight years. However, he claims that he has never seen any aquatic animals before, not even a fish.
That day, Nalu was off leash, and he wandered near the beach. Suddenly, Marciano noticed a shape in the water that could not be mistaken for an alligator. Within seconds, the gator turned and grabbed the dog in its jaws. Marciano did the only thing he could think of.
“I just raised my hands and stepped into the water and landed on top of the crocodile. As I was pulling, he grabbed my hand, the crocodile grabbed my hand, I just pulled and he let go,” said Marciano.
At first, Marciano was so shocked that he didn’t know what to do next. He and Nalu are safe from the alligator, so he wants to go home and rest. However, his friend insisted that he go to the hospital immediately.
Continued Alligator Attack
Marciano’s hand ended up needing six stitches due to the crocodile bite. Nalu had injuries to his stomach and thigh, so he underwent two hours of surgery. It was a difficult, traumatic experience, but now they are both recovering in the comfort of their home. Despite everything, Marciano does not regret his decision to punch the crocodile.
“If I hadn’t done what I did, I would have lost him and that would have been scarier for me,” Marciano said.
However, Marciano said that he and Nalu will not stop going to their favorite park. Instead, they will just be careful from now on. Marciano will make sure that Nalu can never go near the water again. When Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission checked the lake, they found no alligators.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, alligator attacks have been on the rise since 2018. Most likely because there has been an increase in population and development in Florida. Even though gator incidents are more common, it’s still a one in 3.1 million chance of happening. So, to be safe, stay away from Florida lakes and ponds while walking your dogs.
H/T: local10.com
Featured Image: screenshot, local10.com