Dogs
by Carrie Boyko, CEB
Yup! They're seeking mates, breeding and nesting between May and early September. That means only one thing to dogs who splash in Florida waterways--trouble! Even retention ponds on our golf courses are hazards, often housing singular, male gators who tend to be loners.
From dusk to dawn gators are most active, but daylight often finds them basking in areas where aqua plants and grasses provide cover. Some are bold enough to come up on lakefront docks to sun themselves, and even seek out other places to cool off, like the pool-crasher in this photo from WTSP.com, a Tampa news channel. I'd like to see Tanner's reaction to this guy on our pool deck. NOT!
And worse yet, imagine this record catch if he were still kicking:
While searching for statistics, I learned that about 20 dogs are killed each year in Florida by gators. After living here nearly my entire life, I'd concur with that based on news reports and my memory. Oddly the source of this tidbit was a British news site!
The death of a Dalmatian in Jacksonville underscores the value of following park rules regarding leashing your dog. This 80-pound, off-leash dog was drinking from the lake in a park when he was attacked and killed by a 10 foot gator. While that's a large gator, the dog was no lightweight. Take care to restrain your dog in advance. You won't be able to stop him if he sees a gator, or is attacked by one.
If you read the last line of the Jacksonville report, you'll understand one of the most important points I can stress. Gators migrate from waterway to waterway, seeking food and mates. They are predatory in nature and are known to lie beneath the surface in shallow water, waiting for wildlife, dogs or humans to approach close enough to be ambushed. You'll likely be safe if you avoid waterfront dog walks from late afternoon through mid-morning.
Gators live in waterways throughout the South East United States. Knowing the dangers is part and parcel to being safe. Your dog will know you have good reason if you take him on a lakefront walk and stay well away from the shore with his leash in place. Keep in mind that gators can travel very fast on land; do not approach a sunbathing gator thinking it will be slow-moving; you'll regret it.
One final tip: Gators over 6 feet in length are considered to be of significant danger,
both to humans and dogs. Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission if you spot one in Florida, or if you have a nuisance gator in your area: 1-866-FWC-GATOR. When living or traveling in other states, search online for local government wildlife organizations if you come upon a large or aggressive gator. It may be your dog or your kid you'll save.
Join us each week for the Weekly Wag bonding series.
- Our Readers Learn Gator Safety Skills And Win Prizes For Their Efforts
by Carrie Boyko, CEB I always feel just a little bit better when I wrap up our annual gator safety class here at All Things Dog Blog. I'll sleep just a wee bit better knowing that you guys helped to get the word out about keeping our dogs safe when...
- Dog Safety For Your Good Buddy
by Carrie Boyko, CEB Tanner's Favorite Gator ToyEach year about this time I drop everything I'm doing and write a post about gator safety. It's a passion for me to help you watch out for your dog's safety around bodies of water where...
- Ask The Vet With Dr. Mark: Water Safety For Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © WIlly Volk via Flickr Dear Dr. Mark: Our dogs love swimming and enjoy boating with us. They are well behaved in the boat and we love taking them out with us. I would like to know if there are any boating safety suggestions...
- Gators And Their Danger To Dogs: Update On Seasonal Issues
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © Carrie Boyko Tanner Tackles his Gator ToyRecently I shared some information on gator mating season and the dangers to our Fido friends. Your response was quite lively, and yet the most exciting and scary part is yet to come. After...
- Saving Your Dog And Yourself In The Event Of A Gator Attack
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © Carrie Boyko "I Caught Him, Mom" "You're Safe Now" Next week's post for the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop will provide information on the dangers of nesting season and the fierce protectiveness of mama gators for their babies--all...
Dogs
Bonding Through Dog Safety
by Carrie Boyko, CEB
 |
| Copyright AllThingsDogBlog.com These Gators are Safe, Tanner |
Yup! They're seeking mates, breeding and nesting between May and early September. That means only one thing to dogs who splash in Florida waterways--trouble! Even retention ponds on our golf courses are hazards, often housing singular, male gators who tend to be loners.
 |
| courtesy WTSP.com Gators Will Seek Water of Just About Any Type |
From dusk to dawn gators are most active, but daylight often finds them basking in areas where aqua plants and grasses provide cover. Some are bold enough to come up on lakefront docks to sun themselves, and even seek out other places to cool off, like the pool-crasher in this photo from WTSP.com, a Tampa news channel. I'd like to see Tanner's reaction to this guy on our pool deck. NOT!
And worse yet, imagine this record catch if he were still kicking:
 |
| courtesy WTSP.com How Long? |
While searching for statistics, I learned that about 20 dogs are killed each year in Florida by gators. After living here nearly my entire life, I'd concur with that based on news reports and my memory. Oddly the source of this tidbit was a British news site!
The death of a Dalmatian in Jacksonville underscores the value of following park rules regarding leashing your dog. This 80-pound, off-leash dog was drinking from the lake in a park when he was attacked and killed by a 10 foot gator. While that's a large gator, the dog was no lightweight. Take care to restrain your dog in advance. You won't be able to stop him if he sees a gator, or is attacked by one.
If you read the last line of the Jacksonville report, you'll understand one of the most important points I can stress. Gators migrate from waterway to waterway, seeking food and mates. They are predatory in nature and are known to lie beneath the surface in shallow water, waiting for wildlife, dogs or humans to approach close enough to be ambushed. You'll likely be safe if you avoid waterfront dog walks from late afternoon through mid-morning.
Gators live in waterways throughout the South East United States. Knowing the dangers is part and parcel to being safe. Your dog will know you have good reason if you take him on a lakefront walk and stay well away from the shore with his leash in place. Keep in mind that gators can travel very fast on land; do not approach a sunbathing gator thinking it will be slow-moving; you'll regret it.
One final tip: Gators over 6 feet in length are considered to be of significant danger,
- Our Readers Learn Gator Safety Skills And Win Prizes For Their Efforts
by Carrie Boyko, CEB I always feel just a little bit better when I wrap up our annual gator safety class here at All Things Dog Blog. I'll sleep just a wee bit better knowing that you guys helped to get the word out about keeping our dogs safe when...
- Dog Safety For Your Good Buddy
by Carrie Boyko, CEB Tanner's Favorite Gator ToyEach year about this time I drop everything I'm doing and write a post about gator safety. It's a passion for me to help you watch out for your dog's safety around bodies of water where...
- Ask The Vet With Dr. Mark: Water Safety For Dogs
by Mark Nunez, DVM © WIlly Volk via Flickr Dear Dr. Mark: Our dogs love swimming and enjoy boating with us. They are well behaved in the boat and we love taking them out with us. I would like to know if there are any boating safety suggestions...
- Gators And Their Danger To Dogs: Update On Seasonal Issues
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © Carrie Boyko Tanner Tackles his Gator ToyRecently I shared some information on gator mating season and the dangers to our Fido friends. Your response was quite lively, and yet the most exciting and scary part is yet to come. After...
- Saving Your Dog And Yourself In The Event Of A Gator Attack
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © Carrie Boyko "I Caught Him, Mom" "You're Safe Now" Next week's post for the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop will provide information on the dangers of nesting season and the fierce protectiveness of mama gators for their babies--all...