Alligator rips off leg of man in Florida after mistaking it for a dog

A man lost part of his leg when he was attacked by an alligator outside a Florida hotel after mistaking the reptile for a dog, police said.

The bizarre incident happened when the man was walking outside the Warm Mineral Springs Motel in North Port around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday and noticed a dark figure shuffling around in some bushes, the WFLA, citing the Sheriff’s Office, reported Sarasota County.

The man mistook it for a dog attached to a long leash and didn’t dodge when the alligator charged at him.

Then the alligator bit his leg and ripped off a piece of muscle tissue, lawmakers said.

A MP, who was in the area on a separate call, responded to the scene. The man was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital by paramedics with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the WWSB.

While waiting for an animal catcher to respond to the scene, another deputy was able to capture the alligator, which was removed from the area.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the attack.