The family of a grandmother who was gruesomely killed by an alligator lurking in a pond near her home has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against her retirement community – claiming they failed to take action to protect residents from the 10-foot predator so famous it was nicknamed Henry.
Gloria Serge, 85, was dragged to her death around a pond behind her home on Spanish Lakes Fairways in Fort Pierce, Florida, on February 20 while trying to protect her small dog from being attacked.
Surveillance footage captured the moment the gator crept up on the unsuspecting grandmother — who was then dragged underwater by the 10-foot, 700-pound beast and killed.
Her family filed a lawsuit Thursday morning, alleging Wynne Building Corp., the developer and manager of the retirement community, is at fault for her death.
Gloria Serge (C) was walking her dog along the catchment pond behind her home in Spanish Lakes Fairways on February 20, 2023, when she was killed after a 10-foot alligator dragged her into the water. Serge’s family
“A year ago, I received the phone call every boy dreads,” William Serge said during a press conference Thursday, according to WPEC. “I could never imagine how painful my mother spent the last moments of her life.
“No child should have to bury their mother in such horrible conditions.
“This was a tragedy that was 100% preventable, so I stand here today on behalf of my mother to share her story in the hope that this will never happen again,” explained the grieving son.
Bill Serge stands next to a photo of his 85-year-old mother during a press conference on Thursday. AP
Serge’s family claims the Wynne Building Corporation knew the creature lived on the property and no steps were taken to keep residents safe.
“In fact, the neighborhood named this particular alligator Henry, and they named him Henry because he was seen so often by this catchment pond,” said Gary Lesser, the family’s attorney.
Lesser claims that residents, even staff at the community, regularly feed the predator, often seen lying around the pool.
St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Lucie shows law enforcement officers and Florida Fish and Wildlife investigators responding to the fatal alligator attack on the 85-year-old grandmother. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Lucie/AFP via Getty Images
“Amazingly, Spanish Lake didn’t actually post a warning about dangerous alligators that they knew existed,” Lesser explained.
“There is no warning to its residents in the weekly newsletter that Spanish Lake sends to its residents.”
Community members claim it was only after Serge’s tragic death that warning signs were erected, according to lawyers.
The alligator was reportedly at least 10 feet long and weighed 700 pounds. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Lucie/AFP via Getty Images
“It was too little, too late to save or bring Gloria back,” Lesser stated. “A recent visit to the property revealed no crocodile warning signs had been put up.”
Lesser claims that Spanish Lakes Fairways “encourages their residents to socialize by the reservoir” and “places community benches on the water’s edge” despite allegedly knowing the gator lurks around the community.
Even more heartbreaking are the claims that Serge was “forced” to carry his puppy around the pool and was even threatened with expulsion due to the society’s strict rules.
Community members claim it was only after Serge’s tragic death that warning signs were erected, according to lawyers. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Lucie/AFP via Getty Images
“Gloria had to walk her dog in the backyard, behind the house, by the pond,” Lesser explained. “Spanish Lakes is one of those communities that has rules – you can’t walk your dog on the streets of your community.”
“In fact, Gloria was given a trespass warning and eviction notice for having her small dog in her front yard.”
While the property doesn’t have any signs warning of alligators, CBS12 News reported Friday that several signs were posted to tell community members they can’t take their dogs on the street.
The Spanish Lakes Fairways community is owned and managed by Wynne Building Corp. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Lucy
Serge’s family is seeking at least $50,000 in damages and plans to take Wynne Building Corporation to a jury trial, WPEC reported.
Following last year’s attack, a trapper hired by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission caught and killed the gator.
Alligator catcher Robert Lilly, who was called in to catch the predator, said, “It was definitely a fight.”
“[We] stuck him at the bottom. He never showed up. He stayed under the whole time,” Lilly said.
“We were able to get a second hook on him and a hard line on him so we could wake him up.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
