The family of a grandmother who was tragically killed by a 10-foot alligator outside her home are suing her retirement community.
Gloria Serge, 85, was dragged into a pond behind her property in Fort Pierce, Florida, after the reptile emerged from the water.
It is believed that Gloria was trying to protect her small dog from the creature, after it lunged out of the pond towards the woman.
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Gloria's family have now filed a lawsuit against the developer and manager of her retirement community, Wynne Building Corp.
It's reported that no action had been taken to protect residents from the dangerous animal, despite reports that they were aware of the alligator, which was even nicknamed Henry.
“One year ago, I received a phone call that every son dreads,” Gloria's son, William Serge said during a news conference.
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“I never could have imagined the agonizing way that my mother spent the last moments of her life.
“No child should have to bury their mom under such horrible circumstances.
“This was a tragedy that was 100% preventable, so I stand here today on behalf of my mom to share her story in the hope that this will never happen again."
The family claim that the corporation were aware of the alligator and that no steps were taken to keep elderly residents safe.
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“In fact, the neighborhood named this particular alligator Henry, and they named it Henry because the alligator was seen so often on the shores of this retention pond,” the Serge family attorney, Gary Lesser, said.
“Amazingly, Spanish Lakes actually posted no warnings about the existence of these dangerous alligators they knew about.
“There were no warnings to its residents in the weekly newsletters that Spanish Lakes sent to its residents.
“That’s a little too little, a little too late to save or bring back Gloria.
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“A recent visit to the property revealed no signs warning of the alligators had been placed yet.”
In a heartbreaking revelation, Lesser reported that Gloria was actually forced to walk her dog by the pond, due to rules that stopped her walking the pup on the street.
“Gloria was forced to walk her dog behind the home, in the backyard, by the retention pond,” he continued.
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“Spanish Lakes is one of these communities that has a rule – you can’t walk your dog in the streets of your community.
“In fact, Gloria was given a violation and eviction warning for walking her small dog in the front yard of her house.”
The Serge family is now seeking at least $50,000 (£39,000). The alligator has since been captured and euthanised.
Lucy Devine