Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Shawaz Ahmad & Gemma Ryder

Huge alligator filmed dragging dog walker to her death by lake

A woman who was taking her dog for a walk by a lake was dragged to her death when a 10ft alligator lunged at her and pulled her into the water.

Gloria Serge was trying to rescue her dog from the reptile but instead it turned it's attention to her and grabbed her before dragging her into the lake in Florida on Monday (February 20).

The 85-year-old's neighbour frantically called emergency services as she tried to help, but it was too late, and Gloria died.

The Mirror reports how the horrific scene was captured on camera at the the Spanish Lakes Fairways retirement community in Fort Pierce, Florida.

The pensioner can be seen walking just by the lake then trying to get her dog Trooper away from the alligator's jaw but then it drags her into the water.

Terrified neighbour Corole Thomas, 76, told Inside Edition that she tried to help the woman while on the phone with 911.

She can he heard screaming: "There's a woman in the lake. The alligator's got her!"

As the call unfolded, Corole became more distressed when she didn't see the woman's surface.

"I think she's gone, oh my God," she cries into the phone.

Moment showing Gloria Serge, 85, with her dog at the lake as the 10ft alligator lunged onto her and dragged her away (Inside Edition)

Corole tried to save her with a pole to try and pull the woman to land, but said: 'There is no way I could have gotten to her sooner.'

"It's horrible for her family," she added. "It's just horrible, horrible. And her friends, I spoke to a couple of her friends yesterday who are devastated."

Gloria's body was later recovered from the lake.

Local residents have said they gator was known in the community and is called Henry. He was captured and euthanised after the mauling. Wildlife experts captured the reptile and an official seen sitting on top of the reptile.

Florida authorities are now warning residents about walking their pets near the ponds in lakes in the area. Serge is the third victim to be killed by an alligator in Florida since last July.

Florida has a population of 1.3 million alligators across its 67 counties, and they can be found in practically all freshwater bodies and occasionally in salt water.

Following yesterday's attack, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said: "Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida.

Officials taking away the huge alligator. (St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office)

"The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets, or property.

"People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

"When someone concerned about an alligator calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, we will dispatch one of our contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.