Authorities in Florida reported that a woman was killed by an alligator on Tuesday evening while walking her dog near a retention pond in Fort Pierce, a city on the Atlantic coast. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. near the 1200 block of North 29th Street, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.
Details of the Attack
Deputies responded to the scene after receiving a report of an alligator attack. They found the woman deceased, with a large alligator nearby. The dog was also killed in the attack. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was called to the scene and captured the alligator, which was estimated to be between 10 and 12 feet long.
The victim's identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Authorities said the woman was walking her dog when the alligator emerged from the pond and attacked.
Response and Investigation
"This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the victim's family," said Sheriff Ken Mascara in a statement. "We urge residents to be cautious around bodies of water where alligators may be present."
The FWC is investigating the attack, which is the third fatal alligator attack in Florida in 2026. According to FWC data, there have been 10 reported alligator attacks on humans in the state so far this year, with three resulting in fatalities. The agency reminds the public to never feed alligators, keep pets on a leash and away from water, and swim only in designated areas.
Alligator Encounters in Florida
Florida has an estimated 1.3 million alligators, and encounters with humans are not uncommon. The state's FWC operates a nuisance alligator program that removes thousands of alligators each year. Residents are encouraged to report any alligator that poses a threat to people or pets.
The pond where the attack occurred is a retention pond in a residential area, and neighbors expressed shock at the incident. "We walk our dogs there all the time," said a neighbor who declined to be named. "We never thought something like this could happen."
