Alligator underneath car bites Florida man

DADE CITY, Fla., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said an alligator hiding underneath a car bit a man in Land O' Lakes, Fla.

The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times said, according to the commission, Joseph Cannistra was convinced his dog was hiding underneath his car early Sunday morning when he reached under the vehicle.

Instead of locating his canine friend, Cannistra was bitten on both hands by a 5-foot alligator seeking shelter beneath the vehicle.

The state wildlife agency said Cannistra later received stitches at University Community Hospital for unspecified injuries suffered in the animal attack. The 38-year-old was released from the hospital following treatment.

The Times said the alligator was soon captured by wildlife officers and upon discovering the animal was injured, the agency decided to have the gator euthanized.