Englewood dog survives alligator attack, faces 6-8 weeks of recovery

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — A six-year-old Yorkie named Zoe is recovering after her owners say she was attacked by an alligator outside their Englewood home Tuesday night.

Laura Dumovich and Alice Trowbridge said they were outside with Zoe when they suddenly heard the dog cry out.

Trowbridge said Zoe typically stays close to her, but the dog had wandered about 15 to 20 feet away from the patio. The owners said they ran toward Zoe and found her near the seawall.

Dumovich said Zoe does not normally go that close to the water and believes the dog was dragged toward the seawall during the attack.

The owners said they never saw the alligator. However, they said neighbors have reported seeing one in the area and estimated it could be about six feet long. The owners said veterinary staff later told them the alligator may have been smaller because Zoe was not pulled into the water.

The attack left Zoe with life-threatening injuries, according to her owners.

They said Zoe suffered five broken ribs on her right side, which crushed and collapsed her rib cage. Both of her lungs collapsed, and doctors removed part of one lung and reconstructed her rib cage.

Her owners said Zoe also suffered multiple puncture wounds from the alligator's teeth that had to be cleaned and stitched.

The family said they rushed Zoe to a veterinary hospital after the attack, but their regular clinic was closed. They said Charlotte County police officers in the parking lot directed them to an emergency veterinary hospital in Port Charlotte.

According to the owners, veterinarians there stabilized Zoe but could not perform the surgery she needed. The family said doctors gave her a 50-50 chance of survival before they drove her to a facility in Lakewood Ranch.

Zoe underwent a two-and-a-half to three-hour surgery, according to her owners.

The family said Zoe spent the night in intensive care and was placed in an oxygen chamber. They said she eventually had her chest tube removed and was able to leave the hospital.

Zoe returned home Friday and is now recovering with antibiotics, pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication and ice packs, according to her owners.

Her owners said they expect it to take at least six to eight weeks for Zoe's ribs to heal.

Despite the trauma, the family said Zoe has remained strong throughout her recovery.

Now, they are urging other Florida pet owners to be prepared.

One of Zoe's owners recommends knowing the location of the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital and checking your yard for alligators before letting pets outside.

For Zoe's family, the focus now is on recovery — and getting their nine-pound Yorkie back to the life she had before the attack.