[imagesource: YouTube / 9 News Australia]

A man in Far North Queensland, Australia had his leg grabbed by a crocodile while on the banks of a remote river.

The tourist managed to escape the croc’s grip but his dog was taken down into the waters and likely, the beast’s belly.

The man identified as Alistar MacPhee was standing with his hound in the shallows of Bloomfield boat ramp at Ayton in Far North Queensland, north of Cairns, on Wednesday afternoon when they were attacked.

Video footage captured by the 37-year-old man shows the terrifying moment the predator launched from the shallow waters as he was standing in ankle-deep water, dragging him to the ground.

MacPhee put up a good fight, punching the croc a few times before being released with a mangled right leg:

Image: Seven News

Unfortunately, the crocodile took his canine friend, who has not been accounted for, notes Yahoo! News:

Staggering back to shore with deep cuts, the bloodied tourist is spotted by a ranger who just happened to be in the area and called for help.

…[MacPhee] was rushed to Wujal Wujal clinic for treatment before being airlifted to Cairns Hospital where he underwent surgery on Thursday afternoon and is now reported to be in a stable condition.

Josh Patterson from the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation told Nine News said that the area is dangerous, “particularly at this time of year when the rivers are flooded and it’s warm and the crocs are more active”:

Wildlife officers from the local Department of Environment and Science are now targeting the crocodile for removal in line with the government’s Crocodile Management Plan.

Gotta stay croc-wise when you’re down under, mate.

[source:yahoonews]