Horrified golfers at the Crandon Park Golf Course in Key Biscayne witnessed on Saturday afternoon a crocodile grab and eat a 25-pound dog that was chasing birds into a pond.

The upset owner walked her pit bull terrier without a leash and she was near the fifth hole of the golf course when the reptile, estimated to be seven feet long, grabbed the helpless pooch. The pet was running after the ducks and geese in the pond when it became the prey and the croc's next meal, reports the New York Daily News.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission official Lorenzo Veloz recounts that the pet owner was walking behind the golf course and tennis court when the incident happened. Officials of the commission even followed the crocodile for some time to see if they could rescue the pet, but it did not release the dog.

The owner of the dog is distraught because of the loss of her pet, says Veloz, reports the Sun Sentinel.

Park officials of Miami-Dade county point out that they have posted signs in the area warning of reptiles and that dogs must always be on leash. The Key Biscayne area has a number of crocodiles roaming its water.

University of Florida biologist Frank Mazzotti says residents of the state should be aware of the perils of letting pets roam with a leash when near the water because the crocodiles like to eat dogs.

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