WATCH: Man dramatically rescues his puppy from the jaws of an alligator

A Florida man is going viral after his heroic efforts to save his dog from an alligator was captured on film by a project designed to monitor local wildlife.

The dramatic footage shows the man jumping into waist-deep pond water after the alligator dragged the dog underwater.

The man submerges his whole arm to bring the small dog to the surface, with the small alligator still latched on.

After about 12 seconds, the man succeeds in freeing his pet, and it scampers ashore.

Following the incident, the owner took his three-month-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy — named Gunner — to the vet to be treated for a puncture wound.

The pooch has since recovered, while his owner required a tetanus shot after his hands were injured.