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DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on a report of a woman dragged into a Florida pond by an alligator (all times local):
6:15 p.m.
Authorities have identified a woman who they say was bitten and probably killed by an alligator while she was out walking her dogs next to a Florida lake.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement that a necropsy of the reptile Friday produced evidence "that indicates the victim ... was bitten by the alligator."
The statement went on to say that officials believe 47-year-old Shizuka Matsuki was killed "and we will continue recovery efforts."
Davie Police Detective Viviana Gallinal says a witness told authorities he saw the woman walking two dogs and then noticed the dogs alone, barking near the water. One of the dogs had a fresh injury.
Gallinal said trappers had seen a 12-foot (3.5-meter) alligator and residents said they've also noticed a large gator in the area recently.
Fatal attacks on humans remain rare, however. According to the wildlife commission, the likelihood of a Florida resident being seriously injured during an unprovoked alligator incident in Florida is roughly only 1 in 3.2 million.
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5:05 p.m.
Authorities says evidence recovered from a captured alligator indicates it bit and probably killed a woman while she was out walking her dogs next to a Florida lake.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement that a necropsy of the reptile Friday produced evidence "that indicates the victim ... was bitten by the alligator."
The statement went on to say that officials believe the woman was killed "and we will continue recovery efforts."
They did not identify the victim.
Davie Police Detective Viviana Gallinal says a witness told authorities he saw the woman walking two dogs and then noticed the dogs alone, barking near the water. One of the dogs had a fresh injury.
Gallinal said trappers had seen a 12-foot (3.5-meter) alligator and residents said they've also noticed a large gator in the area recently.
Fatal attacks on humans remain rare, however. According to the wildlife commission, the likelihood of a Florida resident being seriously injured during an unprovoked alligator incident in Florida is roughly only 1 in 3.2 million.
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1:40 p.m.
Authorities are working to capture an alligator in a Florida pond after a witness' report led police to believe the animal may have dragged a woman into the water.
However, it remained unclear Friday what the witness saw. News media earlier reported a caller told police he saw a gator drag a woman into the water as she was walking her dogs.
Davie Police Detective Viviana Gallinal now says the witness told authorities he saw the woman walking two dogs and then noticed the dogs barking near the water. The witness did not see the woman again.
Gallinal said trappers have spotted a 12-foot (3.5-meter) alligator in the pond.
News media earlier reported divers were searching the water. However, Davie Police Maj. Dale Engle clarified that no divers could search the water until the alligator was captured.
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11:35 a.m.
Police say divers are searching a Florida pond after a witness said an alligator attacked a woman walking her dogs and dragged her into the water.
In a Sun Sentinel report , Davie Police Maj. Dale Engle said the woman's dogs would not leave the pond as divers searched for her Friday morning.
Engle said one of the dogs also was bitten by the alligator.
The pond is in a park near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a major Miami-area tourist and entertainment attraction.
Authorities closed the park Friday.
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11 a.m.
Authorities are searching a lake in South Florida after a witness called police saying an alligator attacked a woman walking her dog in a park.
The caller reported seeing the alligator drag the woman into the lake at about 9:45 a.m. Friday.
Davie police tell news outlets that officers responding to Silver Lakes Rotary Nature Park found a dog on a leash but no signs of the woman.
Trappers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are at the scene, looking for the alligator.
No additional details were immediately available.
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