Girl attacked by rabid beaver

Sunday Gazette Mail ^ | 7-27-03 | AP

[steveo]

SHANNONDALE, W.Va. (AP) -- An 8-year-old girl had reconstructive surgery on her hand after being attacked by a rabid beaver in Jefferson County earlier this month.

Robin Hays' said her daughter, Maddison, was playing along the Shenandoah River behind their Shannondale home on July 11 when the attack occurred.

"We were getting ready for a pig roast, and she was down there playing,'' Hays told The Journal in Martinsburg. "Suddenly, I heard a blood-curdling scream.''

Hays saw the beaver clamped onto her daughter's hand, then shook her arm to get it free, grabbed her daughter and ran.

The beaver chased them, she said, and two men attending the pig roast cornered the animal and killed it with a shovel.

Hays' daughter, who suffered bites on her leg and hand, was initially treated at Jefferson Memorial Hospital.

A specialist at Loudoun County Hospital in Virginia provided treatment on her hand that included reconstructive surgery on the tendons, nerves and veins, Hays said. Maddison's hand was in a partial cast, and she could move her fingers but not her thumb, Hays said.

"She's doing very well,'' Hays said.

State Division of Natural Resources officers took the dead animal, Hays said.

The animal's brain was sent to the Jefferson County Health Department, and then to a lab in Charleston where it tested positive for rabies, the newspaper reported.

While rabies is common in that area, beaver attacks are rare, said Lisa Dunn, the health department's sanitarian supervisor.

AP-ES-07-27-03 1206EDT

[Jay D. Dyson]

I've dealt with rabid beavers before. I just wash 'em, shave 'em and eat 'em. Where's the problem?

Okay...enough kidding around. Sadly, this little girl is in for some seriously miserable treatment since rabies shots are utterly painful and they have to start the regimen even before they have the results back on whether the animal itself was actually rabid.

My heart goes out to the little one. I hope she gets lots of tender loving care from her family and friends in between the treatments.

-Jay

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

They should have just covered it in cow dung. That only works for lightning.

[BigWaveBetty]

My father-in-law was recently bitten by a racoon and he's undergoing the treatment now. It's not bad he says, regular injection (probably once a week for six weeks, hubby's not sure) and no side affects.

Although he does see the 'coon in question regularly and it shows no sign of rabies, it could be a carrier so the doc encouraged him to get the shots.

[palmer]

Sorry, my mistake!

[Mr. Mojo]

I've been attacked by a few rabid beavers as well.

[mamelukesabre]

Oh, go ahead. We're all expecting it anyway, in fact, some of us are even looking forward to it...haha

[gorush]

I'm confused...is rabies an STD?

[mhking]

And the decision is....Just damn.

HMB/Bizarre PING....

If you want on or off this list, FReepmail me!

FYI: This has fast outgrown it's original "charter" and become a home for the truly bizarre. An alternative saying/phrasiology is being sought (and suggestions are very welcome!). Also, like it's "cousin list" the B/C list, it has become a high-volume list.

---

I'm leaning toward "Just damn," on the suggestion of quite a few folks. I won't make a decision until Sunday. (And thanks to all of you for sending your suggestions!)

[Tall_Texan]

"Ward, don't you think you're being a little hard on the Beaver?"

[Jay D. Dyson]

I'm confused...is rabies an STD?

It wasn't until Bill and Hill had their way with most of Washington...

-Jay

[drstevej]

Yeah, but she is a lousy girl.

She deserved to get bitten.

[Drew68]

I've dealt with rabid beavers before. I just wash 'em, shave 'em and eat 'em.

Clean, shaven beaver tastes really good.

[drstevej]

See post #31 for a clean shaven Beaver

[dr_who_2]

Well, be more careful around seemingly cute, fuzzy little animals.

[LibKill]

Although he does see the 'coon in question regularly and it shows no sign of rabies, it could be a carrier so the doc encouraged him to get the shots.

Your father-in-law is a lot more forgiving than I am.

I'd give that raccoon a multiple lead injection.

[Young Werther]

A Lesbian Encounter of the Worst Kind?

[mamelukesabre]

cute fuzzy little animals?

A beaver is a big fat stinky smelly overgrown rat.

[drstevej]

A beaver is a nutria with class.

[hellinahandcart]

"Wally, why is Dad running towards us with that shovel?"

"What do you mean 'us', Beav?"

[Jay D. Dyson]

I've dealt with rabid beavers before. I just wash 'em, shave 'em and eat 'em.

Clean, shaven beaver tastes really good.

And contrary to what anyone may say, it doesn't taste like chicken.

-Jay