"According to bystanders that live around the lake, the gator was approximately 8 feet long and that it's there every day," Lt. Mark Reynolds of Delray Beach Fire Rescue told WPTV in West Palm Beach.

Witnesses saw the alligator stalking the dogs and called in firefighters, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post reported. But as they got close, an alligator grabbed one dog and pulled it underwater.

One of the other dogs ran away as soon as it was rescued, but the third, a mixed breed only several months old, was recovering at a local animal shelter. It's been dubbed "Lucky" by its rescuers but may not turn out to be lucky.

Dianne Sauve with the Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control Division said the dog bit one of his rescuers and if it can't be determined whether it ever had a rabies vaccine he may have to be put down.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said they were investigating a potential alligator problem on the lake.