Alligator in Florida bites retired police dog

PALMETTO, Fla. -- A retired K-9 in Florida is recovering after being bitten by an alligator that so far is eluding capture.

Chris Leister tells the Bradenton Herald that his 7-year-old Belgian Malinois named Arek was playing near the water behind his Palmetto home when he was bitten Tuesday.

Leister rushed Arek to a veterinarian, who treated the dog's wounds on its right front leg.

Arek paced on a leash before reporters Wednesday with a white bandage encompassing the wounds. Leister says his neighbors estimated that the alligator was 9 feet long.

Wildlife officials are trying to trap the alligator.

Leister says trappers believe his dog bit its attacker back because an alligator that big would not easily let go. Arek worked alongside Leister at the Palmetto Police Department near Tampa.