Photo: Scales and Tails Utah Facebook
Before Bull began the feeding, she noticed the reptile named Darth Gator was being aggressive, she toldKSL.
Bull pushed Darth Gator back, “something I’ve done lots of times before,” she told the outlet. However, this time, the reptile latched onto her hand and “really bit down.”
Video shows the animal trainer leap into the enclosure to prevent the alligator from pulling at her arm, and wrap her legs around him in an attempt to subdue him.
Watching on, a Good Samaritan, identified as Donnie Wiseman, is heard asking Bull if he could help, to which she replied, “If you can get on his back, go on his back.” The trainer later told the NBC affiliateshe only allowed Wiseman to enter because he said he had worked with an 18-foot python before.
The onlooker quickly jumped on Darth Gator’s back and after a minute, Bull was able to free her hand and another Good Samaritan, identified as Todd Christopher, pulled her out of the enclosure.
With careful instruction, Wiseman was able to safely exit as well.
Bull told KSL, “What happened was an accident. I’m so much more to blame than Darth Gator,” adding that the animal is not a “mindless killing machine.”
“We never expect someone to jump in like that, but we’re super grateful they did,” Richins said.
On Facebook, the family-run business wrote, “We want to send a huge shoutout to Donnie Wiseman and Todd & Amy Christopher!We want to thank them for their heroism.”
Scales and Tales also added that Todd’s wife, Amy Christopher, used her nursing background to begin first aid as the trainer waited for ambulatory care.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
On Monday, Bullshared an updatevia the Scales and Tails Facebook page,writing, “I got lucky to land in a hospital that employs what has to be the best orthopedic surgeon in Utah. He was able to improvise and come up with a solution that should result in full use of my hand. I can’t explain the level of admiration I have for that man.”
She continued, “I’m being treated aggressively with antibiotics, which I’m thankful the Infectious Disease staff here were prepared to do.”
“Lastly, I’ve had the most wonderful nursing staff that have made me feel safe and comfortable since I got here,” Bull wrote. “I definitely want to thank everyone that has reached out and for doing so, as well; it’s made recovery feel so much more manageable! Thank you!”
source: people.com
