Florida man, 72, has his right leg ripped off below the knee in horrific alligator attack

A Florida man had his right leg ripped off below the knee in horrific alligator attack before wildlife officials shot dead two huge predators.

One of the beasts had the foot of the injured man still dangling from its mouth.

The man, 72, whose identity was not disclosed, was working outside his Titusville home on Friday afternoon with his wife and dog when the huge gator emerged from the canal.

The victim, who survived the near-death attack, was airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne where a portion of his injured leg had to be amputated. The man’s wife and dog were unharmed.

When deputies from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office arrived at his home located at the Great Outdoors Nature, RV and Golf Resort, they found the gator in the water with the man’s foot protruding from its mouth.

The voracious reptile was shot dead by officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). After four shots were fired and pools of blood surfaced, a second smaller gator appeared and officers shot that dead too, WESH reported.

Three Florida officers are pictured at the site where two alligators were shot dead at the Great Outdoors Nature, RV and Golf Resort in Brevard County, on Friday afternoon. One of the alligators that ripped off the man's right left was seen with the man's foot protruding from its mouth — Three Florida officers are pictured at the site where two alligators were shot dead at the Great Outdoors Nature, RV and Golf Resort in Brevard County, on Friday afternoon. One of the alligators that ripped off the man’s right left was seen with the man’s foot protruding from its mouth

A photo of the second alligator that was killed by officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) Conservation Commission is seen in the officer vehicle before being hauled off

Once the offending gator was onshore, wildlife officers retrieved the man’s foot and part of his leg.

FWC officers then loaded both of the gators’ remains into a vehicle and hauled them off.

Officials told the news outlet that the larger of the two gators attacked the older man. They are currently investigating the incident.

Ron Peoples, a resident from the area, told WESH shared how close these gators are to people’s homes.

‘It’s in an area where the gators lay on the bank kind of readily,’ Peoples said.

‘It’s only about 15 feet between the house and the water.’

Two months ago, an 85-year-old Florida woman was dragged into a canal and killed by an alligator.

FWC officials warn of the dangers of these predators as they become more visible and active during spring and summer.

They also warn those who live in Florida to always be mindful FWC when they are near any body of water.

Florida Wildlife officers are seen using tools in the canal to retrieve the deadly predator

Two officers are inspecting the site where a 72-year-old Florida's man right leg was ripped off below the knee on Friday during an unprovoked attack — Two officers are inspecting the site where a 72-year-old Florida’s man right leg was ripped off below the knee on Friday during an unprovoked attack

One man expressed his outrage about these alligators near his home.

‘We cannot have aggressive gators in our park,’ he said.

This article by Ruth Bashinsky was first published by The Daily Mail on 17 April 2023. Lead Image: ALEX PANKRATOV/GETTY.

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