NEED TO KNOW
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A Florida resident captured footage of a crocodile swimming with a dog in its jaws in a canal on Monday, Oct. 27
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Zack Spurlock told local media outlet WESH he saw an “11-foot crocodile swimming with a Golden Retriever-type breed in it’s mouth.”
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The FWC said after “careful consideration,” the reptile has been placed into permanent captivity
A large crocodile has been spotted swimming with a dog in its mouth in Florida.
Resident Zack Spurlock captured footage of the reptile and told local media outlet WESH it was “just heartbreaking” to witness.
“I’m a dog owner. I know they’re part of the family and so I couldn’t help but have my heart go out to them that their worst fear had come true,” he said.
Spurlock told the outlet that he received a message from a friend who was walking with their baby in a stroller and “10 feet away is this 11-foot crocodile swimming with a Golden Retriever-type breed in it’s mouth.”
“And so at that point I couldn’t help but go there,” he added.
The crocodile was seen swimming with the dead canine clamped between its jaws on Monday, per the outlet. Witnesses said it was not far from an elementary school and several homes.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) told CBS News Miami the crocodile was captured and removed from the canal in South Patrick Shores following the incident. Fire personnel also assisted.
Spurlock told WESH he took another video of the crocodile three weeks ago and that he has spotted the reptile numerous times over the last three years.
“We’ve seen the crocodile get relocated three to four times, and each time it makes its way back. It really likes that canal,” he said.
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FWC said that it is the only confirmed American crocodile documented in the area since 2018, per CBS News Miami.
The agency added that “after careful consideration” the crocodile has now been placed into permanent captivity.
PEOPLE has contacted the FWC for comment.
On its website, the agency says people should never feed crocodiles or alligators and that they should keep their distance if they see one.
“Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and keep pets on a leash and away from the water,” the FWC adds.
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