A Florida family is calling their beloved German Shepherd a “miracle dog” after he survived a harrowing alligator attack that could have ended in tragedy.
Zeus, a loyal family pet living in Wesley Chapel, was dragged into a backyard pond by a massive alligator on the night of June 2 — and somehow lived to tell the tale.
The terrifying incident unfolded after Zeus wandered outside, likely responding to a noise near the fence. Within moments, an alligator burst through the barrier, grabbed Zeus, and dragged him into the murky water.
“The vet told us the gator just missed his jugular — it looked like Zeus’s entire head had been in the gator’s mouth,” the family shared on a GoFundMe page. “The fact that he made it out alive is nothing short of a miracle.”
A Night of Terror
Susan Alkhatib, Zeus’s owner, recalled the chaos. “My dad came in frantic. He said, ‘The alligator just took Zeus.’” The family watched in horror as the gator thrashed violently in the water with Zeus in its jaws.
Miraculously, the dog managed to break free.
“We were screaming for him to swim toward us,” Susan said. “When he got close, he was exhausted. We had to wade into the pond to pull him out.”
Life-Saving Surgery
Zeus was rushed to a veterinary emergency hospital, where he underwent urgent surgery. He had suffered a broken jaw and multiple puncture wounds. Vets realigned his jaw and wired it shut; he now faces another surgery in about eight weeks.
Until then, Zeus is on a syringe-fed liquid diet and must wear a muzzle for at least a month as part of his recovery.
Gator Still on the Loose
Earlier that same day, the family had spotted the gator lurking near the pond and even captured it on video. Wildlife officials have since dispatched trappers, but the reptile has yet to be captured.
As Zeus recovers, his family is focusing on his healing journey.
“Despite everything, he continues to be such a trooper,” they wrote. “He’s getting nonstop love, snuggles, and the best care we can give him.”
