A woman’s family is suing after she was killed by two alligators outside her Englewood home on July 15, 2022.
According to the report, Rose Wiegand, 80, was in her yard trimming and pulling weeds near the seawall when she either fell or was pulled into the water by an alligator.
Her cause of death according to a report was determined to be “cervical spine dislocation with contusions of the spinal cord due to blunt impacts to the head and neck suffered during an alligator attack.”
Wiegand, a recently widowed woman, was living alone in the Boca Royale community.
The lawsuit claims Wiegand often spent time outside doing tasks around the house and in the yard “to maintain the Residence in accordance with the Community’s deed restrictions.”
According to the lawsuit, Wiegand’s home has a backyard area with a pool and landscape portion that lies between the back of the house and a lake/canal.
The report states an aluminum bulkhead (also known as a seawall) was between the backyard and the canal.
Immediately after entering the water, she was attacked and killed by two alligators.
A witness stated they watched her in the water and tried to help but were unable to because of the alligators.
The lawsuit states, “Large alligators are known to be in the Community and inhabit its manmade waterways. Specifically, the location of the incident was a known stop where one of the community’s larger alligators could be found.”
Following the incident, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) sent a nuisance alligator tapper who removed to gators from the canal. The first alligator was 8 feet, 11 inches and the second was recorded at 7 feet, 7 inches.
FWC told NBC2 that nine alligators were removed from the Boca Royale community between January 2020 and July 2022 when Wiegand was killed.
Wiegand’s daughter is suing the Boca Royale HOA, Villas Condo Association, Neal Communities, and Boca Royale Golf and Country Club.
The next court hearing is set for Sept. 13, 2024.
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Source: nbc-2
