Police in South Miami are issuing a public safety warning to residents after a family’s dog was killed in a reported crocodile attack Thursday morning.

The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. in the canal behind the family’s home in the 6200 block of Southwest 64th Court.

The dog was a shepherd mix named Kygo, said the owner, Enrique Pomares. Kygo was a rescue dog the family had for six or seven years.

Pomares said the incident happened around 8 a.m. after he let Kygo out in the backyard like he does every morning.

“He was close to the shoreline. Crocodile came up and snatched him,” Pomares said. “I heard the ruckus. I turned around. The dog is fighting you know, trying to get away from the croc.”

Pomares said he tried to stop the attack.

“I tried to distract and tired to get him to let him go,” he said. “I was gonna put my kayak in the water to try to get him. But the croc came back out and came towards me with the dog in its mouth.”

Kygo’s body was found hours later on the other side of the canal.

South Miami Police confirmed a dog was killed in the reported attack, and issued a warning to residents in the area to exercise extreme caution.

“Residents, pet owners, and visitors in the area are advised to remain vigilant around nearby canals, waterways, ponds, and other bodies of water where a crocodile may be present,” the department said in a statement. “Residents are encouraged to share this information with neighbors and other members of the community, particularly those who walk dogs or regularly use the area.”

Police said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers were at the scene trying to find the crocodile but didn’t have any luck.

American Crocodiles are protected by both state and federal law, and residents should not attempt to injure, capture, harass, or relocate a crocodile, police said.

Anyone who encounters a nuisance or dangerous crocodile is asked to contact wildlife officials.