Family of 85-Year-Old Woman Dragged Under by Alligator Sues Retirement Community Manager

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A lawsuit has been filed in connection with the 2023 death of an 85-year-old woman at a Florida retirement community who was killed by an alligator.

Gloria Serge was walking her dog near a retention pond in Spanish Lakes Fairways, which is located in Fort Pierce, on Feb. 20, according to WPBF. An alligator emerged and dragged her away under the water, according to CBS. Her body was later recovered.

The alligator involved in the attack was later trapped and killed. It was estimated to be about 10 feet long and weighed between 600 and 700 pounds, according to WESH.

The lawsuit against Wynne Building Corporation, which owns and manages Spanish Lakes Fairways where the tragedy took place, said the company knew there was a danger posed by alligators and did nothing to prevent it. The suit seeks $50,000 in damages.

“The Defendant encouraged, if not forced, the Decedent to walk her dog near a retention pond that it knew, or should have known, contained large, dangerous alligators that constituted a nuisance,” the lawsuit said.

“Spanish Lakes knew of dangerous alligators and did nothing,” attorney Gary Lesser said, according to TC Palm. Lesser is representing Bill Serge, who is the victim’s son. “They could have warned their residents. They could have had the alligator removed.”

“Instead, they encouraged the residents to go to the shore of the retention pond with community benches and sent them to where the alligators are. This was going to happen. It was preventable.”

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