Alligator kills dog walker

Authorities captured and killed an alligator that they believe fatally attacked a woman while she was out walking her dogs near a Florida lake Friday.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said in a statement that a necropsy confirmed the gator bit the woman and they believe she is dead. They did not provide any other details or identify the victim, but said multiple units are out searching for her body.

A witness told authorities he saw the woman walking two dogs and then noticed the dogs alone, barking near the water. One of the dogs had a fresh injury, a gash on its side, said Davie Police Detective Viviana Gallinal.

The witness called police when he couldn’t find the woman, Gallinal said. Earlier news media reports indicated the witness reported seeing the gator drag the woman into the water. Police did not immediately clarify the discrepancy.

Trappers had spotted a 12foot (3.5-metre) alligator in the pond in Silver Lakes Rotary Nature Park, she said.

Jim Borrelli, a friend of the woman, said she and her husband have walked their dogs in the park previously. The couple did not live in the neighbourhood but he said she liked to find different places to talk the dogs. Residents said they often saw her walking her dogs in the area.

Alligators are opportunistic feeders that will eat what is readily available and easily overpowered.