72-Year-Old Man Jumped on Gator to Save His Dog

PALM CITY, Fla. -- A 72-year-old Florida man didn't think twice when he risked his life to save his dog from an alligator last week.

"Everybody's trying to make a big deal out of it," Gary Murphy told West Palm Beach TV station WPBF. "Anybody would have done it."

Murphy was working on a boat Thursday afternoon in a marsh area in Palm City. McDougal, Murphy's 11-year-old West Highland Terrier whom he calls Doogie, was by his side.

While working on the boat, Murphy said he heard his dog yelp.

"I (saw) Doogie in this gator's mouth," he said.

Murphy said he didn't have time to think, so he just reacted.

"I immediately thought, 'Man, this gator's not getting my dog,'" Murphy said.

So he jumped on the gator, landing on its head. The gator's mouth popped open, and the dog took off.

Doggie hasn't eaten much since the attack, but is otherwise OK.

Murphy said he isn't a hero and likely would have done the same for anyone

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