An 84-year-old woman in North Fort Myers, Florida, bravely defended herself from an aggressive alligator while walking her dog last week. Dolores Boppel, while out with her Shih Tzu, encountered the reptile, which lunged at her. Thinking quickly, she threw her dog into the air to protect it and then punched the alligator in the face, causing the animal to retreat.
Despite sustaining bites on her legs and fingers, Boppel’s quick reaction likely saved both her life and her pet’s. Witnesses recalled hearing her screams and rushed to help. One neighbor reported seeing Boppel crawling away from the scene, covered in blood. Fortunately, her dog Queen was unharmed, though blood found on the pet was from Boppel’s injuries.
Bodycam footage captured by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office showed Boppel in good spirits as she received medical treatment at the scene. She later described the alligator as moving like a “torpedo” before the attack. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed the alligator, measuring 7 feet, 3 inches, was safely removed by a contracted trapper.
Boppel was treated at a hospital for her injuries and is eagerly awaiting a reunion with her dog. The incident highlights the dangers of alligator encounters in Florida’s residential areas, particularly near bodies of water.