Dog fights gator near fallen woman.
By BOB REDDY,
breddy@news-press.com
A 52-pound dog managed to fend off an alligator while an 84-year-old woman lay helpless in her yard in Fort Myers Shores on Tuesday night, family members said.
“My mother is very lucky to be alive,” said Sylvia Gibson, the daughter of Ruth Gay. “That dog is very special.”
The dog, a 2-year-old Australian blue heeler named Blue, was treated for 30 puncture wounds. The family said a veterinarian told them the wounds were consistent with an alligator bite.
Gay, who was home alone while other family members were at the beach, was walking Blue behind the family home at 2229 Santiago Ave. She fell on the wet grass about 9 p.m., her son-in-law Albert Gibson said.
Gay landed on her face and broke her nose and both shoulders, Albert Gibson said.
She managed to roll onto her back but could barely move otherwise, he said.
“Blue sat by her as she hollered for help,” Albert Gibson said.
The home is isolated, with a vacant lot next door, two empty homes across the street and a canal nearby.
There are often several large alligators in the canal, one about 12 feet long, but they had never approached the home during the 20 years the family has lived there, Albert Gibson said.
Gay was petting the dog when the dog growled and left her side, Sylvia Gibson said.
“She heard some noises, and then the dog started to fight,” Sylvia Gibson said. “It was very dark and she couldn’t see what was going on.”
After Blue yelped several times, the dog returned to Gay’s side and stood watch over her as she petted him, Sylvia Gibson said.
The family returned home about 10 p.m. and the dog ran up to them, barking.
“As soon as we saw the dog without a leash, we knew something was wrong,” Sylvia Gibson said.
The Gibsons took Gay to Lee Memorial Hospital, where she had surgery on both shoulders Wednesday. She was unable to talk about the incident Wednesday night.
Blue was taken to the Suburban Animal Hospital on Palm Beach Boulevard where he was treated for the bite wounds. The dog was recovering at home Wednesday night.
“The doctor is amazed that the dog could survive,” Albert Gibson said.
