JUPITER, Fla. -- A South Florida family said an alligator ate their dog, reported WPBF-TV in Palm Beach Gardens.

Maria Lidonni, of Jupiter, said her family was getting ready to take their boat out from the dock behind their home last Thursday when their 5-year-old dachshund, Luigi, ran into the nearby mangrove trees and disappeared.

Minutes later, Lidonni said the family spotted a 7-foot alligator in the water. The next day, Lidonni said the family found Luigi's remains washed up onshore.

"We found the torso, and my neighbor found the upper body," Lidonni said.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trapper attempted to catch the gator, but failed, Lidonni said.

According to wildlife officials, Florida is home to more than 1 million gators.

Lidonni said she will be keeping her four children out of the back yard -- at least until the rogue gator is caught.