A pastor at the First United Methodist Church in Lutz, Fla. is recovering Monday after being attacked and pulled under the water by a 6-foot alligator, according to a Local 6 News report.

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Gator Attacks Florida Pastor

Rick Cabot was going for a morning swim in a nearby lake as part of his triathalon training when he said he felt a gator bite him and then pull him under.

Cabot said he punched the alligator on the nose until he was released.

"I don't know if it was trying to kill me -- it could have done a better job," Cabot said. "I was underwater this whole time, but I don't remember ever feeling panicked or short of breath or anything. I do remember thinking, 'I cannot believe a gator has my leg,' and I think that's when I punched it in the nose."

The pastor's leg will likely need surgery but he is expected to make a full recovery.

It is the second mishap in the lake for parishioners, Local 6 News reported. Their previous pastor drowned in the lake earlier this year.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.