SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — An Oviedo man said he fought off a bear that was attacking his Yorkshire Terrier named Gator.
Brandi and David Fulghum said there were three bears outside their home Monday morning near the Black Hammock. The bears eventually walked into the woods, or so the Fulghums thought.
About 10 minutes later, David set he let Gator outside before leaving for work.
TRENDING NOW:
- Four shots fired into Volusia County Republican Headquarters, police say
- Central Florida Decides: The amendments, explained
- 3-year-old shot in head in Florida road rage incident
- VIDEO: Father dining with children fatally shoots masked man who opened fire at McDonald's
“All of a sudden I heard the hollering and the yelping and I just took off,” said David Fulghum. Gator was in the bear’s mouth.
"I just went airborne and dropkicked [the bear]," David said. "[The bear] spun around, stood up on two legs, and hopped back down on four legs."
The bear dropped Gator and wandered off.
%
%
“He’s like our baby. He’s like a child to us,” said Brandi Fulghum.
The dog underwent emergency surgery. The Fulghums said Gator faces $5,000 worth of medical treatment.
#Update: Here is a picture of Gator after surgery. Gator was attacked by a bear in Oviedo yesterday. Owner says he is doing better today. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/CedCwXcEcZ
— Jeff Levkulich (@jlevkulichWFTV) October 30, 2018
The Fulghums said they have never seen a bear in all the years they have lived near the Black Hammock.
"I just want people to know: Be careful," Fulghum said. "I have granchildren. If these bears are out 18 hours a day, you don't know they could be in a tree, in the woods... You just don't know. Just be aware of your surroundings."
%
%%
%
MORE: Here's why you may see more bears soon
Meanwhile, the Fulghums' employer helped pay for Gator's surgery Monday. They have started a GoFundMe page to help pay for future medical expenses.
"THERE'S A BEAR STANDING ON TWO LEGS WITH HIS PAWS ON MY DOOR." A bear attacked a dog in Oviedo. How the Yorkie's owner helped save it from the mouth of the bear, Today at 4 on #wftv. @jlevkulichWFTV @JEstevezWFTV @VEcholsWFTV pic.twitter.com/S5ofWVyDMD
— WFTV Channel 9 (@WFTV) October 29, 2018
TRENDING NOW:
- Four shots fired into Volusia County Republican Headquarters, police say
- Central Florida Decides: The amendments, explained
- 3-year-old shot in head in Florida road rage incident
- VIDEO: Father dining with children fatally shoots masked man who opened fire at McDonald's
Cox Media Group
