Louisiana woman’s dog killed by 11-foot alligator while on a leash and harness: ‘There was no fighting him’
Jessica Reynolds says her 6-year-old pit bull, Brownie, was gone in an instant, and wants to warn other pet owners to stay vigilant
NEED TO KNOW
- Louisiana woman’s dog was killed by a 10-foot alligator during a walk near a lakefront in Kenner
- The woman believes people feeding alligators in the area have made them more aggressive and unafraid of humans
- Authorities removed an 11-foot alligator from the area and issued a safety alert for residents and pet owners
A Louisiana woman is urging other pet owners to stay alert near the water after an alligator killed her dog during a walk along the lakefront.
Jessica Reynolds was walking her 6-year-old pit bull, Brownie, near the Gabriel Pumping Station in Kenner, La., on Saturday, Aug. 8, when the dog headed toward the water, according to NBC affiliate WKYC.
“It was hot, so he wanted to check the water,” Reynolds told the outlet. “I did not think anything of it. Before I knew it, he was gone.”
Kenner police reported that Brownie was wearing a leash and harness when the alligator attacked. Reynolds estimated the animal was about 10 feet long and said she was unable to pull her dog away. “There was no fighting him,” she said. “He was huge.”
According to officials, animal control later found Brownie’s remains nearby along the water. Reynolds and her daughter, Mia Morrissey, who described Brownie as a loving dog, are now raising money to have him cremated.
Reynolds said she blames the alligator’s boldness on people feeding gators in the area.
“I’m very worried,” she added. “These gators aren’t afraid. They’re not scared. People are feeding them, and it’s the wrong thing to do because now they are comfortable.”
Reynolds explained that she took Brownie to the canal so he could get a sip of water, and that she had seen gators there before. Signs are also posted near the pumping station warning of alligators.
Jeb Linscombe, alligator program manager at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, told Fox affiliate WVUE that it’s common for alligators to grab prey and pull it underwater, and that people should assume the animals could be present near any waterway.
“The main thing is that you just have to be vigilant and understand that at any time there could be an alligator present,” Linscombe said. “Just because you don’t see one, doesn’t mean there’s not one there.”
Following the attack, agents removed an 11-foot alligator from the area later that day.
Kenner police also issued a public safety alert after the incident, reminding residents to keep small children and pets away from the water’s edge and to be aware of their surroundings.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Don’t bring them by the water because you never know,” Reynolds said. “Unfortunately, I’m testament to that now.”
