400-Pound Gator Grabs 120-Pound Dog From River's Edge

An 400-pound alligator snatched a 120-pound dog from the edge of a river while its owner stood just a few feet away.

News of the Strange Sidebar (RIGHT) Not weird enough? Read more strange news.

LOOK! Strange News Photos

Sign Up To Receive Our Daily News Of The Strange Email The 11-year-old dog named Spock was pulled into the Little Wekiva River near Orlando on Sunday. Spock's owner, John Cornell, didn't have enough time to react - especially since it was the first time he had even seen an alligator from his backyard in the 12 years he has lived there.

On Monday, friends and neighbors hung dog collars and leashes from the family's mailbox, and placed flowers, candles and a cross there to complete an impromptu memorial for Spock, who loved to play with tennis balls and give children rides.

"He was just a dog people loved," Cornell said.

The Little Wekiva River usually is just a couple of feet deep, but Cornell said neighborhood construction has caused it to rise a few feet and become stagnant instead of flowing. Family members believe the high water level could be responsible for the gator being there.

A licensed trapper placed a baited hook behind the Cornell's house Sunday and then returned Monday to place more hooks. He also recovered Spock's remains, which were taken to a veterinarian to be cremated.

Cornell estimated the gator to be 8 to 10 feet long, and the trapper told him it likely weighs 400 pounds or more.

If the alligator is captured, the trapper is required by the state to slaughter it. Only very small gators are relocated.