Man, 66, wrestles pet terrier from alligator Alligator dragged West Highland terrier into retention pond UPDATED 9:44 AM EDT Sep 20, 2012
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Read story here THE VILLAGES, Fla. — A 66-year-old Villages resident said he wrestled his beloved pet dog, Bounce, from the jaws of an alligator.
Steven Gustafson said last Friday, he saw an alligator grab his best friend, Bounce, and then carried the 9-year-old West Highland terrier out into a retention pond behind Gustafson's Sumter County home.
Gustafson said he didn't think twice about going into the water after his dog.
The retired corporate lawyer managed to wrestle with the gator and get hold of his its tail at the same time he pinned the gator's jaw down under the water.
Once Bounce was swimming free, Gustafson let go of the gator, grabbed his dog and ran for his life back to the house.
Gustafson has some minor puncture wounds on his hand and some nasty bruises on his leg.
Bounce just needed a few stitches but is otherwise back to her playful self.
On Sunday, a local trapper went out and caught the alligator.
It's being stuffed so Gustafson can have it as a keepsake when he tells the story to his grandchildren.
Neighbors with a sense of humor have since given Gustafson a superman cape and an alligator belt buckle.
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