Dog that survived alligator attack named the ‘Dog Marshal’ of NC July 4th parade

A dog that narrowly missed being eaten by an alligator will serve as the first-ever “Dog Marshal” for the 2026 North Carolina 4th of July Parade in Southport, officials say.

The honor means Strike will be treated as a celebrity at the festival, which attracts 40,000 to 50,000 people annually to the coastal town, organizers say.

“We’ve met so many incredible dogs, but Strike’s story is truly inspiring,” festival officials wrote in a June 22 Facebook post. “Nearly one year ago, while swimming in the river, he survived a terrifying alligator attack. He stands as a reminder that even our four-legged friends can show extraordinary bravery.”

The honor came as the result of a competition among 79 dogs, and Strike won with more than 6,000 votes, officials said. This marks the first year the 54-year-old parade has had a “Dog Marshal,” an idea that came about as a fundraiser for the nonprofit festival.

Strike’s owner Bonner Herring says the alligator attack occurred in June 2025, on property near Southport.

“Strike’s favorite activity is swimming and taking a dip in the river. ... Doing his favorite thing nearly cost him his life when an alligator grabbed him in hopes of making him his next meal,” Herring wrote on the festival’s website. “Strike fought back with a desire to live. ... He still enjoys a good swim, but is more careful these days before entering the water.”

The attack made national headlines, due to Herring’s risky decision to jump in the water and wrap one arm around the dog’s chest. A tug-of-war ensued, with Herring reporting he and the alligator were pulling Strike in opposite directions.

“He (Strike) just had this look of — ‘Please do something Daddy, please do whatever you can.’ ... I made the decision that I was not going home without him,” Herring told Outdoor Life in a July 2025 article.

“We started swimming, kicking, and pulling, and finally we started making some progress. And I thought to myself, ‘Please Lord, don’t let him come back on us’.”

Strike suffered a broken leg and a series of puncture wounds, WECT reports.

Southport established it’s 4th of July Festival in 1972, and events include a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 10:15 a.m. on July 4th, followed by the parade at 11 a.m.

Southport is about a 160-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.

This story was originally published June 24, 2026 at 6:52 AM.