Winston Alive, Alligator Dead, Homeowner with Gun Relieved

Authors Defensive Use of Firearms Home Defense Kimber Pearce
Winston Alive, Alligator Dead, Homeowner with Gun Relieved
The predator that attacked Winston. (Photo: FOX 35)

A Deltona homeowner acted fast last week when his dog was attacked and almost killed by a massive alligator.

The homeowner recounted the story to FOX 35, explaining that he had let his dog Winston out in the backyard but was going to check on him. He spotted the gator as soon as he rounded the corner. 

It was a massive seven-foot-eight beast, and the homeowner said that they saw each other at the same time. 

With the alligator sinking his teeth into the dog’s head, the homeowner was forced to act swiftly.

“I don’t even think there was a thought, I think it was – my heart just dropped, and I was like, ‘Okay, I have to go do something.’ So, I mean, you just spring into action and do what you have to do to save your dog. Twenty seconds later, probably would’ve had a dead dog,” he told FOX 35.

SEE ALSO: Mississippi Hunters Hook Massive 787-Pound Alligator

Without hesitation, the homeowner sprang into action and fired four shots at the gator’s skull. Reports state that it is unclear if he was already armed or what type of firearm he was carrying, but whatever it was, it did the job.

Thankfully, Winston (the dog) survived the ordeal with just a small puncture wound on his ear. 

The homeowner did say he is feeling a bit on edge these days. He’s not necessarily nervous, but he’s definitely more aware of his surroundings.

The game warden who came to help get rid of the gator explained that this kind of thing is more likely to happen during alligator breeding season. So, if you live near water, it’s important to be prepared and ready to act fast.

Alligators are protected by law except during their hunting season, but because this was a case of self-defense, the homeowner is not being charged. 

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In the end, the homeowner learned an important lesson: always be prepared for the unexpected and carry a gun. Check your fences for damage, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t hesitate to act fast when it matters most. Who knows, it could save your life one day!

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  • B March 20, 2023, 6:21 am

    Just another day in the Gunshine state.

  • Pud March 20, 2023, 5:21 am

    7’8″ is not “massive”, it’s a baby. We used to canoe by 6 footers in the Wekiva river all the time.
    Yankees from the northeast need to be more aware that there are gators (AND water moccasins) everywhere in FL.

  • paul I'll call you what I want/1st Amendment March 19, 2023, 6:32 pm

    Maybe the gator wanted his car……he wuz a good gator turnin his lyf around

  • MQ March 19, 2023, 2:25 pm

    I would rather deal with bears here in Alaska than live where gators sneak up on me and my family!

  • Lise Swift March 18, 2023, 11:19 pm

    Darnit Scotty Gunn for being such a pacifist. Gators, bears, Catamounts…someone sometimes has to deal with it.

  • Scotty Gunn March 18, 2023, 10:55 am

    In my area , the game warden would have arrested him for shooting the gator, and probably shot his dog out of fear.

  • KJS March 18, 2023, 12:45 am

    7ft 8in is nothing for a gator…..They can get 10, 12 ,even 15ft

  • Blaine Hebert March 17, 2023, 7:52 pm

    The large photo of “the animal that attacked his dog” is a photo of a crocodile, not an alligator.

  • Keith44 March 17, 2023, 7:24 pm

    Not sure if the writer is a Floridian, but down here a 7ft 8in gator is pretty darn small. Certainly not anywhere near “Massive”.

  • charlie March 17, 2023, 2:36 pm

    Now that is a good gator.
    There are too many of them and are breeding more like the python invasion in Florida.

  • Fal Phil March 17, 2023, 12:46 pm

    I hope the homeowner gets a pair of shoes and a belt out of the deal. And maybe some tasty alligator tail fillets.

  • Mac March 17, 2023, 12:21 pm

    While a 7-8 foot gator is big enough to be respected/avoided and to do the job…esp when a surprise/unexpected…wouldn’t exactly call it a “massive” beast. The 12-14 footers or more…rare in the U.S….THOSE are indeed massive! A small(er) dog would have been history.

  • Tommy Barrios March 17, 2023, 9:32 am

    That is about $10,000 worth of alligator hide laying there!
    Normally you have to get a permit to shoot gators in FL and it is a lottery system!
    You can shoot them IF they are threat like this or have to call the DNR if they are just on your property!

  • John wick March 17, 2023, 4:20 am

    Lucky he wasn’t arrested and jailed. In the city limits and all

    • Ed Gero March 17, 2023, 5:41 pm

      There are a lot of Alligators in Washington DC too. They are the special two legged ones who bite your wallet at every chance. Eventually they will kill all of us a little at a time. The only problem is you can’t shoot them either.

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