Mr. Gary Murphy, age 72, was at his Palm City, Florida home about 80 miles north of Miami, when he heard his West Highland terrier named "Doogie" making yelping sounds in the back of his yard.
Murphy quickly discovered his companion pet was in the jaws of an alligator that had entered the yard from marshland behind the property.
He launched a rescue attempt by jumping on the reptile's back and hitting it on the head.
"I had loafers on and I hit the back of that gator. It was like jumping on a pile of rocks," Murphy told the newspaper.
The alligator let go of Doogie, who required veterinary treatment for deep gouges, lung injuries and liver damage, but was expected to make a full and total recovery from this life threatening ordeal.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission warned it was alligator mating season -- making the reptiles more active -- and suggested pet owners keep a sharp vigil, and keep their animals on a leash, especially around water.
Murphy said he isn't a hero and likely would have done the same for anyone. Well, almost anyone.
"I'd have probably done it for anybody, except a politician," said Murphy.
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