A huge alligator attacked a police dog taking a break and cooling off in the river. Fortunately, the K9 made it out alive, according to the report.

K9 Dog Survives Alligator Attacks

According to TV station WOFL in Orlando, Mako, a K9 dog in Oviedo, Florida, named Mako, his owner Kylee Nyiri, and her companion Fisher Greene were cooling off in the Little Econlockhatchee River during a training session when the attack occurred.

The massive monster — a 12-foot alligator — pounced on Mako in the water while occupied with his ball. As they approached the alligator, the couple grabbed its tail and reached into the dark water for Mako, Newsweek reported.

Mako wouldn't have lived if Fisher Greene hadn't been there. However, Nyiri claimed that the day following the incident, he had four and five puncture wounds and four shattered ribs.

Mako underwent surgery ten days later. The fluid and inflammation around his incisions accumulated, resulting in a lung abscess. Additionally, his veterinarians are worried that some of the bones in his sternum may have fractured.

Nyiri shared an update about Mako on Facebook. According to her, Mako was transferred to an emergency vet. He was reportedly bleeding, and at the time, he had already undergone a 3.5-hour surgery and was set for another procedure.

Over 1.3 million American alligators live in Florida alone, according to the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and they may be found from eastern Texas to North Carolina.

According to the National Zoo of the Smithsonian, an American alligator's average length is 11.2 feet for males and 8.2 feet for females. Any alligator taller than 4 feet is dangerous to people, animals, and property.

As a team searching for explosives at Port Canaveral in Florida, Mako and Nyiri collaborate. Both of them, however, have been unable to return to their employment since the incident. Nyiri said they had invested $21,000 in Mako following the incident.

Nyiri set up a GoFundMe page for those who want to help with Mako's procedure.

ALSO READ: Robot Camera Chases 5-Foot Alligator Out of a Water Pipe in Florida

How to Keep Your Pet Dog Safe From Alligators?

According to Florida State University, alligators are ferocious predators with biting forces equivalent to those needed to lift a compact vehicle. They may have a variety of bacteria in their mouths, which may enter bite wounds and result in life-threatening infections.

Here are some tips from PupsPal on how to keep your pets safe from gators.

1. Keep your dog on a leash. In this way, you can keep them nearby and pull them near you when you run into a gator.

2. Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid bushes, grassy areas, muddy water, or places where you will likely run into alligators. When you are near the river, keep a safe distance from the water because gators are smart, stay still, and blend in with their surroundings before they attack. Additionally, be alert for any food scraps, fish guts, or anything that might attract gators to you.

3. Let your pet drink in a water bottle. When in a lake or river, always consider that alligators can be lurking beneath the water and waiting for an opportunity to grab their next meal. So, keep your fur friends away from a potential alligator encounter by having them drink in a water bottle. Also, this will keep them safe from water pollutants like bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

RELATED ARTICLE: Massive 10-Foot Alligator Walks in a Neighborhood in Florida on Easter Sunday as Mating Season Begins [Watch]

Check out more news and information on Alligators in Science Times.