Man Attacked by Alligator While Opening Front Door at Night

On March 4th, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received an unbelievable report about a violent alligator bite incident.

Resident Surprised By Alligator at Front Door

Scot Hollingsworth said he was watching TV with his wife at their home on Champions Drive when he heard a bump at the door.

While watching TV with his wife at their residence on Champions Drive, Scot Hollingsworth heard a thud at the door.

“I jumped up and headed over and opened the door, stepped out while trying to reach the lights and barely got out the door and got my leg clamped on and (it) started shaking really violently,” he said.

Hollingsworth said it was dark outside, so his first thought was it could have been a big dog attacking him.

The Bite Happened Quickly

“It happened so quickly, wasn’t a whole lot (of time). It was just total surprise and shock,” he said. “We see alligators behind our house, it’s a regular thing, but they always keep their distance from us.”

Scot Hollingsworth sustained a non-life-threatening bite injury on his upper thigh and was transported to a hospital for medical attention.

“I suspect I surprised the alligator as much as he surprised me,” Hollingsworth said.

Officials Warn of Gator Close Encounters

A trapper called by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found the gator and euthanized it. 

Mike Hileman, the director of the wildlife park, said they have already taken in two “nuisance” gators so far this year.

“It’s early,” Hileman said. “Every year it seems to be climbing. Last year we did 20 something.”

Both of the gators they’ve rescued this year came from Polk County.

According to the website of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are roughly 1.3 million alligators residing in the state of Florida.

The agency considers alligators that measure 4 feet or more in length and pose a threat to people or wildlife as “nuisance” gators and may euthanize them.

The commission explains that relocated alligators frequently attempt to return to their original capture site and cause additional issues, which is why they must be euthanized or relocated to zoos or wildlife rescues.

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