The bike trail surrounding Deerock Lake in Carver Shores provides easy access for neighbors to get to Eagle Nest Park in Orange County.

“I was out there fishing and I laid my rod down and parked my dog and a guy came up and told me to watch out for my dog. So I said why, he said cause an alligator got his. So I took my dog and came back and I spotted the alligator and it was pretty big,” said Bobby Crapps.

FWC confirmed that story, telling News 13 the dog’s owner was playing fetch with his 10-month-old pit bull puppy named King Monday morning.  

That's when he threw a stick in the lake for his dog to retrieve, and an alligator estimated to be between 8 and 11 feet pulled the dog under the water.

That was the last time King was seen.

Neighbors say it’s not the first time they’ve seen alligators in this lake behind Eagles Nest Park in Orlando.

“When I first saw it, to actually see it scared me but I say, as long as they stay out there, I guess I’ll be fine. It kind of startled me because it’s a safety thing, people walk along the park all the time,” said James Jordan.

“Yes sir. I love my dog. If it mess with my dog, I’ll be upset. I’ll have to get him,” added Crapps.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife trapper spent several hours trying to catch the gator Monday afternoon.  But trappers believe they’ll have a better chance under the cover of darkness Monday night and early Tuesday morning.