Elderly Woman's Close Call with Alligator While Walking Her Dog

Miracle in Florida: An 84-year-old American woman from North Fort Myers narrowly escaped an alligator attack while walking her dog. The incident occurred Thursday evening near an open water reservoir at the RV park where she lives.

The woman, named Buffel, was strolling with her Shih Tzu when she suddenly sensed danger. "I just had this gut feeling that something was going to happen," Buffel told CNN in an interview from her hospital bed.

Her intuition was right. A 2.5-meter-long alligator leaped from the water, charging at her and her dog. "It was like a torpedo. I've never seen anything move so fast," she said.

Buffel managed to throw her dog to safety, but the alligator bit her legs and fingers. A neighbor, hearing Buffel's screams, called emergency services. She fought the alligator bravely, hitting it in the face until it retreated.

The wildlife team arrived and captured the alligator. Buffel was taken to the hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.

While alligator attacks are rare in Florida, this incident serves as a crucial reminder to take necessary precautions in areas where these reptiles reside.