74-year-old woman attacked by raccoons

Sunday, October 4, 2009

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A neighbor captured this image of five raccoons shortly before the attack. It appears to be a mother with four juvenile raccoons.

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A 74-year-old Lakeland woman was attacked and severely injured Saturday evening by five raccoons.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Gretchen Whitted heard a noise outside of her home on the 1200 block of Waterford Drive. She soon found out she had five raccoons in her backyard.

When Whitted opened the door to wave them away, the animals attacked her, biting and scratching her legs, the sheriff's office said.

During the attack, Whitted fell down. A neighbor heard her cries and rushed to help her. As the neighbor got close, three of the raccoons ran into a drainage ditch.

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According to the sheriff's office, emergency responders transported Whitted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where she was treated. She received dozens of staples and sutures. She is listed in stable condition.

It is unknown if the raccoons had rabies.

"The victim is being treated as though she has had a rabies exposure," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. "While we don't know if there has been an actual exposure, we just can't take that chance."

Animal services set traps for the raccoons in the area.

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