Golden retriever fights off alligator in the Charles River

-News Story

For the past 5 years, 37-year-old accountant John Smith has gone down to the Charles River for a swim each morning. Smith never swims without his seven-year-old golden retriever, Hank. He claims that “He [Hank] is my best friend and I’m never going swimming without him.” The morning started out as they usually did, but that began to change.

At 7:00 this morning, Smith headed down to the Charles River to take a swim before going to work. As usual, Hank was by his side ready to jump in. After a little while, Smith decided to get out of the river. He swam towards the shore and started calling for Hank when he reached land. When Hank didn’t come, Smith turned around to see that his beloved dog was swimming towards an alligator waiting in the water.

Splashes covered most of the sight, but Hank walked out after about half a minute with wounds on his back left leg. Smith rushed Hank to the vet and managed to get the dog there before he lost too much blood. After seeing the vet, Hank walked out with a total of 17 stitches, but other than that he had no other injuries.

-Feature Story

Thirty seven-year-old Bostonian John Smith drives his car down to the Charles River before heading to his accounting firm. Smith can hear Hank, his 7-year-old golden retriever, panting in the back seat. He parked his car, and headed towards the glimmering water. Smith slowly walks into the cold water, feeling it surround his shins, his thighs, and then his waist. He starts swimming around the river and coaxes Hank into the water. Hank wags his tail and throws himself into the water.

After a few more minutes, Smith swims towards the shore and starts to get out. He turns his head to tell Hank to come with him when he sees the brave golden retriever make its way to the pair of eyes hiding in the dark water. Fear washing over him, Smith freezes him. He watches Hank swim towards the alligator in the water. Splashes cover Smith’s view, and he can’t see what is happening for about 30 seconds. Finally the splashing stops and the water settles as the alligator turns and begins to swim away from Hank.

Hank swims back towards Smith who is there to catch him. He checks to see if his dog is okay when he sees the blood pouring down his back left leg. Smith picks up Hank and puts him in the car before he drives to the vet.