Florida Man Saves Puppy From Alligator's Jaws: Watch

ESTERO, FL — A retired Florida man ripped open the jaws of an alligator to save the life of his three-month-old puppy, Gunner, while on a walk in a neighborhood in Estero. The rescue was captured on video as part of a partnership between the Florida Wildlife Federation and the fSTOP Foundation, according to news reports.

Richard Wilbanks was recorded in a pond prying Gunner, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, away from the mouth of an alligator. The 74-year-old told WINK News his instincts and adrenaline kicked in when he saw the gator snatch Gunner.

"He just came out like a missile," Wilbanks told WINK.

Gunner's screams could be heard on the video during the attack, but he was still able to run away when Wilbanks was able to release the gator's grip and is doing fine now.

Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, according to a statement from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. And videos like this, part of a "Sharing the Landscape" campaign between the FWC and fSTOP, more often show footage of deer or bobcats roaming in the wild, according to a CNN report.

A 10 Tampa Bay report included the footage of the puppy rescue on YouTube.

“We encourage everyone to take precautionary measures, particularly those who live or recreate near the water," the FWC said in a statement. "Dogs and cats are similar in size to the natural prey of alligators.”

Wilbanks said prying open the alligator's jaws was more difficult than holding up the alligator's body. But he didn't think twice about risking his own life to save Gunner's.

He said pets are "like children to us."

From now on, he will keep Gunner on a leash and stay at least 10 feet from the pond's edge.

Read more via WINK News and CNN