A dramatic viral video captures the terrifying moment a Florida man risked his own life to save his beloved puppy from the jaws of a wild alligator.

74-year-old Richard Wilbanks was walking his three-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Gunner, near a pond in his backyard when a small alligator suddenly burst from the water, grabbed the puppy, and dragged it under.

Without hesitating for a single second, Wilbanks sprinted straight into the water, grabbed the alligator with his bare hands, and pried its jaws open to free his trapped pup.

Fortunately, both Wilbanks and his puppy survived the harrowing encounter with only minor injuries. Gunner was treated by a veterinarian for a single puncture wound and made a full recovery.

The incredible footage—captured by a local wildlife camera—has shocked millions online, with viewers praising the owner’s brave and split-second reaction to save his best friend.