Elderly Florida Woman Survives Alligator Attack By Punching It In The Face

An elderly woman in Florida was bitten by an alligator while walking her dog and survived.

84-Year-Old Woman Survives Alligator Attack While Walking Her Dog in Southwest Florida

An 84-year-old woman in Southwest Florida experienced a terrifying encounter with a 7-foot alligator while walking her dog near a pond in her North Fort Myers mobile home park this week. Remarkably, she survived the ordeal and lived to share her story.

Del Boppel's Alligator Attack Story

Del Boppel, the woman involved, was walking her dog, Queen, on a Thursday evening when she felt an eerie sensation as if something was watching her and danger was present.

"I suddenly had this feeling—like a warning," Boppel recalled from her hospital bed. "It was like, 'uh-oh.'"

That gut feeling quickly turned into reality when a 7-foot, 3-inch alligator emerged from the pond, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Read More: "Nice Car Bro": Florida Man Punches Man For Complimenting His Car 

The alligator charged at Boppel and her Shih Tzu with quick speed, leaving her little time to react.

"It was like a torpedo. I've never seen anything move so fast," she described.

The Alligator Attacks

In a desperate attempt to protect her pet, Boppel threw her dog into the air as the alligator lunged. The aggressive reptile bit Boppel's legs and fingers in the chaotic moment. Boppel said she punched the alligator in the face before it retreated.

A neighbor, who heard the commotion, called 911 after hearing screams, according to body camera footage from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Boppel managed to fight back by striking the alligator in the face, causing it to retreat.

Emergency Services Respond To The Attack

Emergency responders from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Lee County Emergency Medical Services quickly arrived at the scene. A professional alligator trapper was brought in to remove the animal from the area.

Boppel was transported to a hospital for treatment. As of Saturday, there had been no further updates on her condition, but she expressed optimism and looked forward to reuniting with her dog, Queen.

While serious injuries from alligator attacks are uncommon in Florida, they do occur. Between 2004 and 2022, the state documented nearly 190 alligator attacks, 12 of which were fatal, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.