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7-Pound Dog Survives Gator Attack In Lutz
TBO.com photo by BETH GADDIS
An alligator bit Gizmo twice, once on its ear and then again on its back thigh.
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Published: March 24, 2008
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LUTZ - If things had turned out differently Sunday, Gizmo the 7-pound dog would have been Easter dinner.
The dappled gray Maltese-toy poodle mix wriggled his way through a hole in the porch screen at his home on Sandy Springs Circle in Lutz and ran down to the edge of a pond behind the house.
His owners, Mike and Cathy Piendel, were sitting on the porch enjoying the sunset. Cathy Piendel was talking to a friend on the phone when suddenly the couple heard Gizmo yelp again and again.
They looked toward the water. An alligator had their dog.
The alligator had grabbed the dog by the ear and pulled him under the water once. When the Piendels saw him, Gizmo had managed to get halfway back to the shore and the alligator was clamping down on one of the 18-month-old dog's back thighs. Cathy Piendel ran out the door, screaming.
The alligator let go and sank beneath the surface of the water.
Gizmo has puncture wounds on his ear and back leg. The family's veterinarian, Tony Qureishi of Animal and Exotic Medical Center in Lutz, said it's amazing Gizmo survived.
Gizmo is on antibiotics for 14 days and painkillers, but the veterinarian expects him to make a full recovery.
"Not one broken bone; no internal bleeding," Cathy Piendel said. "His white blood cell count is 10 times the normal level, but that's because of the infection" from the alligator bite.
A neighbor called animal control but was told it could take five days for a trapper to arrive. In the meantime, the Piendels have marked the tear in the screen and plan to repair it today.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( egotrip ) on March 24, 2008 at 9:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh, I'm so glad he's ok.
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Posted by ( Budbkind2u ) on March 24, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Poor gator, now they will have to move or kill it.
I'm glad the dogs OK. Must be a tuff little dog, lucky too.
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Posted by ( CanofWhoopAss ) on March 24, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Give that cutie a big kiss from my entire family. Everyone's in love with that babe!
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Posted by ( markyn11 ) on March 24, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It always amazes me when someones little pet gets attacked by a gator they call animal control to have the gator removed or destroyed. The alligator is doing what comes natural trying to eat and your precious little foofoo looks just like lunch to him. Alligators have every right to be here they were here long before we were. If you don't want your precious little dog to get eaten then by all means feel free to keep it away from the water and quit blaming the alligators. People this is Florida there are alligators in practically every fresh body of water in the state so keep that in mind when you consider buying a house right next to a pond or creek, or lake.
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Posted by ( moondoggie ) on March 24, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Must of been a little Gator
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Posted by ( not_another_stereotype ) on March 24, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
markyn11:
my sentiments exactly.
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Posted by ( marlborodude ) on March 24, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
make the dog owners pay for the gator removal!
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Posted by ( commonsense7 ) on March 25, 2008 at midnight
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( NEDLY ) on March 25, 2008 at 5:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
COMMONSENCE HAS NONE. THE ALLIGATOR HAS BEEN HERE ALOT LONGER AND WOULD NOT KILL YOU IN A HEARTBEAT. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT HAD NO FEELINGS DID YOU TALK WITH ONE? AS FOR PEOPLE DYING AND KIDS STARVING YES THIS IS A PROBLEM, MAYBE BIRTH CONTROL. BETTER YET FEED THEM ALL THE EXCESS CATS AND DOGS RIGHT? IN THE WILD WHEN ANIMALS HAVE NO FOOD THEY DO BREED, WHEN THERE IS TO MUCH FOOD, THEY BREED, WHEN THE FOOD GETS SCARCE THEY DIE TO A SMALLER POPULATION. THIS IS ANOTHER NATURAL OCCURANCE. ITS SAD BUT ITS LIFE.ARE YOU GROWING A GARDEN TO AT LEAST HELP ONE PERSON? DIDN'T THINK SO?
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Posted by ( ssam247 ) on March 25, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am glad the little Gizmo is ok. I am sure he won't forget his experience and will stay away from the water. Gizmo's family is now aware too of the gator's presence. My guess there are no signs posted warning people of the potential dangers of alligators lurking in the water. Instead of taking it out on the gator and removing it from it's habitat place some type of fencing and keep humans and animals out of their home or post signs for those who are ignoramus.
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Posted by ( mr_hanky ) on March 25, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Thank God Gizmo is OK! Just relocate the gator to a swamp somewhere. He doesn't have to die. People need to be more careful around the bodies of water in their neighborhoods. They also need to be more careful with their pets and small children.
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Posted by ( arn415 ) on March 25, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
who cares about the stupid gator! i'm so glad the dog is ok. if that would have been my dog, i wouldnt wait on the gator trapper.
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Posted by ( Rambeaux ) on March 25, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm sure this isn't the first time that the gator's been seen in this area. Where were the posted warning signs? Homeowners on this waterfront simply need to be more careful with children and pets. Tough, scary situation and unfortunately the gators will end up losing once again, even though this one was simply doing what comes natural.
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Posted by ( 6ftunder ) on March 25, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I sort of agree with commonsense a little bit. If you think for a second that a gator wouldn't hurt you, I dare you to go stand by one and see how long you last. They will kill and eat anything that gets in front of them. They do not have a conscience. Most animals don't. And that's a fact. They live on instinct. A gator's instinct is to be a predator. It just is and there's no arguing that. just like it's a sharks instinct. If that had been a 2 yr old, everyone would be up in arms about it.
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Posted by ( arn415 ) on March 25, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
nic -- are u kidding me? you are entitled to your opinion as am I .. but I have to disagree with you on that one my friend. Granted, a dog and a gator are both animals but you can not tell me that more people would choose the life of their precious animal who is like part of their family over a gator.
And further more, that gator is in a lake near where children play on swing sets. The HOA of that community should have the gator removed.
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Posted by ( SpanishInquisition ) on March 25, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
...dappled gray Maltese-toy poodle mix...answers to the name of "LUCKY"
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Posted by ( mutroom ) on March 25, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
glad that they dog made it, but, again, people who live near water, and there are known alligators in the water, they have to be take extra steps to make sure that their critters stay safe. thankfully this dog made it and did not become another statistic and that another innocent alligator had to pay with his life.
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Posted by ( ariana ) on March 25, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
We live in a community with gators in our ponds. We have a small dog and chose not to live directly on a pond for that reason. Unfortunately, the largest gator (over 10') has been known for walking down the street through the community. It showed up in my yard one day and we live about 15 houses from the pond. We never expected that. Our dog is now always on a leash in our yard since I am now well aware that gators can show up anywhere. If only the stupid parents would keep their small kids from playing unsupervised at the edge of the ponds.
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Posted by ( billyjoejenkins ) on March 25, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It amazes me how many people believe their opinions matter. It doesn't make a bit of difference whether you personally believe a dog or an alligator or a person is more important. Nobody cares if you think we are encroaching on animal's habitat. Too many people? Too many starving people? So what? Keep on complaining and arguing, see where it gets you.
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Posted by ( jada ) on March 25, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why didn't the owner patch the hole or better yet watch their pet?
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Posted by ( billyjoejenkins ) on March 25, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
touché
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Posted by ( Medcop70 ) on March 25, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You have to be a little touched if you ignore the fact that gators are everywhere in Florida....How long have these people lived there? This is like a bad remake of the movie Lake Placid...hint: GET PANELS FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN PORCH or Gizmo may become just another statistic in the "CIRCLE OF LIFE" game that we as adults should be aware of by NOW!
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Posted by ( McX ) on March 25, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Littel foo-foo dog + pond=gator bait it's that simple! If you want to live close to nature with a pond in your back yard, then you need to perform EXTRA care. Patch the hole in your screen porch, secure the area, you cannot expect nature to stay out of your littel world, when you are in it's door step! I've hunted & fished Florida swamps since I was 7, was extra careful near waters edge. When I take my dogs for walk even near a fresh water source they are on a leash, and I keep them away from the waters edge! I'm gald the littel guy survied; but the gator was doing what it does, eat small critters. In a situation like this it should just be reloacted to the Glades.
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Posted by ( traks614 ) on March 25, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm very happy that the little dog survived the alligator attack. Unfortunetly it happens all the time in this great state of ours. Every pond, creek, stream, lake and river can and will have potential threats like alligators in them. From Pensacola in the far north west to Jacksonville and on down to Miami and everwhere in between, the gators thrive and survive. Our job is to be aware of them. For example, in a pond near a local TV station is a 6-foot-gator. It does its thing and we leave him alone. Just be aware of your surroundings and be safe for you, your children and your pets.
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Posted by ( jada ) on March 25, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You don't need a sign saying there are gators.......for goodness sakes......if there is WATER there is GATORS.....in Florida.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 25, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yeah, let's all blame the gator...... Jebus, I wish people with animals had more sense.
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Posted by ( lauriem ) on March 25, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh, my Lord....I just lost some brain cells.....
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Posted by ( Skip ) on March 25, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Gators suck! Go NOLES!!!
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Posted by ( signit4bes ) on March 25, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Remember the rules Gizmo!
Never feed em after midnight.
Don't ever let em get wet.
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Posted by ( kpg8 ) on March 25, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Gizmo,
two tips if you want to live longer..stay away from gators and chinese restaraunts.
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Posted by ( RichB ) on March 25, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Gator was thinking "TASTES LIKE CHICKEN!"
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Posted by ( ToTheBeachWeGo ) on March 25, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm glad he's ok. As far as the alligator, we have to remember that there is a possiblity of an alligator being in any lake, river, pond, etc.
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Posted by ( abuela1942 ) on March 25, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
For heaven's sake, people, I wonder what your score on a reading comprehension test would be. The story clearly says that the owners were sitting on the porch WITH the dog, so obviously they were watching their pet. Dogs can move fast, and the story says he wiggled through a small hole and ran down to the water before they could catch him. I agree with the people who said the gator should be spared, however. He was just doing what comes naturally for a gator and doesn't deserve to die for it. Relocate him or just leave him alone. It is we humans who are encroaching on the animals. I can remember a Florida where there were huge birds around and lots of wildlife to be seen and enjoyed. It's just too bad that everyone wants to move here. I was hoping that the bad storm seasons a few years ago would scare a lot of them out of here, but no such luck.
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Posted by ( lolafalala ) on March 25, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
There are 1 million or more gators in the state of Florida. Once they attack they become a nuisance and if left, could attack a child or another animal. It had to be a small gator because otherwise, Gizmo would have been dinner! I'm just glad he's okay!
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Posted by ( Turnip427 ) on March 25, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
the reason the gator didn't eat the dog is the dog is too ugly to eat..
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Posted by ( signit4bes ) on March 25, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Governor Andrew Jackson exterminated the Seminoles. I guess now it's the Gators' turn.
Seriously though, as I said during the "Al Lopez Gator Hunt", the dog owner should be charged with negligence and cruelty to animals. I'm not talking about Gizmo, but the gator. It's negligent to allow your dog to escape it's habitat wander into a dangerous situation like that, thus, placing the gator at risk.
If ya wanna reach for an analogy...
What's the difference between this, and a parent who lets their child (ie, dog) run into the road (ie, pond) and get hit by a passing motorist (ie, its own habitat)?
Unless the gator is either rabid or drunk, how is it a nuissance?
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Posted by ( JackNelsonSteward ) on March 26, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Li'l Giz is lucky. Ran into an incompetent 'gator.
There're only two things in the water in Florida, folks: They's 'gators ... an' they's 'gator FOOD.
If you don't know which one you are, head on down by the water.
Y'all have your li'l doggy near the water? This is called "room service."
Lucky li'l Giz.
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Posted by ( gatormb ) on March 26, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Gators are everywhere, including Arizona where they just beat ASU in the quarter finals. Now there will be Gators in New York, much to the dismay of the only 2,000 seminole fans who showed up for their loss to AKRON! AKRON??? Didn't even know they played basketball. Long live the Gators & Gizmo too.
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Posted by ( jhogbballer ) on March 26, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
skip- noles suck u suck, gators rule you drool, and second there is not always gators in every pond or river or whatever because i live right near a pond never seen a gotor once while near it soooooo... hmmm this makes me think theres not gators in every water whatever!!! oh and glad gizmo is ok... gator should be taken to the everglades... ya...!
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Posted by ( situp ) on March 26, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Animal rights people make me want to hurl! It is an alligator not a child and yes there is a difference. "nic", if you truely believe that there is no distinction between lives you are an idiot.
The goal is to remove gators that are aggressive towards pets so that they do not snatch a person or child. Gators that keep their distance are left alone.
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Posted by ( dhendrix99 ) on March 26, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
the pooch got lucky , next time alligator get lucky , ying and the yang
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Posted by ( wmgerald518 ) on March 26, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
situp Gators keep their distance. It is people who insist on encoraching on their habitats where they have lived before man walked the planet.
While I agree starving people are important I do not see how that situation (usually caused by the actions of other people such as all the wars large and little fought over power) precludes other issues from being important.
If you think people that care about animals (man is an animal remember) don't care about anything else I feel you are rather limited in your knowledge and in no position to claim another is an idiot.
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Posted by ( cpiendel ) on March 27, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
As much as I hate the fact that the Gator will be destroyed, I did not make that law. Our community was not a home to Gator's before it was built. The pond was man made due to the water drainage issues during hurricane season. Therefore, we were here first in this particular area of Florida. Gizmo is our pet that we love and has been a part of our family for 1.5 years. So, bottom line is if I have to pick between the gator or the safety of all of the children in the neighborhood and our pets, then I pick them. If the obtion was mine, I would choose for the gator to be relocated to an area that is more safe for everyone. However, that is not my option. Gizmo is quite the energetic dog. When one of my kids open the door to go play, he is right there trying to escape. All dogs have different temperments just as people do. For those of you who left positive comments, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts...Just my 2 cents...Gizmo's family....
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