A Florida resident was shocked to see his constant canine companion in the jaws of a hungry alligator. Without a moment of hesitation, the cigar-smoking man rescued his pup from a hungry alligator.
Richard Wilbanks is a 74, retiree who enjoys taking long walks with Gunner, his Cavalier King Charles spaniel. He told reporters that he and Gunner were taking a leisurely walk around the pond near his Florida home.
How It Came About That A Man Rescued His Pup
Unexpectedly, an alligator rushed up onto the grass near where he and Gunner were walking. The Gator quickly snatched his dog in his powerful jaws and dove back into the pond, leaving Richard speechless.
Richard may have been speechless but he was not without action. Without missing a beat, the cigar-smoking retiree followed the dog-snatching Gator into and under the water.
How Was This Rescue Captured On Camera?
Amazingly, the Florida Wildlife Federation and the fSTOP Foundation had cameras focused on the area where this all took place! The candid cameras happened to capture the snatch as well as the rescue.
Richard is seen submerged in the pond as he wrestles with the green-eyed alligator. When he arises from the water, he is holding the gator with Gunner still between his powerful jaws. Richard’s cigar is firmly grasped in his jaws! The cigar was never once dropped.
Richard struggled to free Gunner from the jaws of the Gator as he moved to the pond’s edge. Once he is able to pry the gator’s jaws enough for Gunner to wriggle free, Richard has to work on removing his hands from the Gator’s jaws.
What Happened After The Man Rescued His Pup
Obviously, our hero took Gunner to be examined thoroughly by his veterinarian to make sure he was not seriously injured in any way. His only physical injury was a small stomach wound. Of course, Gunner may have emotional issues that will take longer to heal.
Richard Wilbanks also suffered injuries from the dramatic and amazing rescue. The alligator chewed up both of Richard’s hands. He will need to make sure they heal well and do not become infected.
In Conclusion
At 74, Richard is no spring chicken and may have to be a little more careful for a little while but he is an amazing man. Not many people would have immediately jumped in the pond and tackled an alligator. Fewer yet could have done so without dropping their cigar!
Another way in which this hero differs from many people is his thoughts on what to do about the dog attacking gator. Richard considers the alligators as a “part of nature and part of our lives.”
He does not want to see the alligator removed from the pond. However, he will give the gator a little more respect. Richard plans to maintain at least a 10distance from the edge of the pond. Gunner will also be kept on a leash whenever they walk near the pond.
Nothing was said about smoking cigars when walking near the pond. He did say he plans to paint the green-eyed alligator that attacked his dog.
