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Gator attack leaves Florida victim with bottom of his foot 'hanging off'

Posted at 7:04 AM, Jul 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-18 12:09:32-04

(WBBH/NBC) - Alligators have attacked people in Southwest Florida for the fourth time in just 10 days.

The latest attack happened at a popular swimming spot on the Peace River near Arcadia. It's the same place where a young boy was bitten 10 days ago.

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On Sunday, 34-year-old Russell Mendelsohn was swimming with his two daughters when a gator, almost 7 feet long, chomped down on his foot.

Witnesses said they will never forget what happened.

"He came running up out of the water, and the bottom of his foot was hanging off," said witness Justin Cassell. "And then he comes walking up and the bottom of his foot was just dangling."

"We're from Florida and we have gators all over the place, so maybe the park might want to make more signs," said Roxanne Castillo, a frequent visitor to the river.

Hospital officials say Mendelsohn is in stable condition.

Wildlife officials say they believe a trapper caught the gator responsible for the attack, but they're not sure if it's the same gator that attacked the boy 10 days ago.

Courtesy WBBH via NBC News Channel