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Boy, 3, Hospitalized In Playground Squirrel Attack-Trooper, Adult Also Injured[FL]
WESH ^ | 06 Nov 2007 | WESH

Posted on 11/13/2007 7:48:10 PM PST by BGHater

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A 3-year-old boy, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and another adult were hurt on Wednesday afternoon in a bizarre attack by a squirrel on a day care playground.

It happened at the Children's Academy Daycare on Oak Ridge Road in Orange County.

Kevin Santiago, 3, was bitten nine times while playing on the playground, according to Yietza Santiago, the boy's mother.

"There was a 3-year-old little boy sitting on the swing. The squirrel attacked him and didn't want to get off of the child. We threw things at it to try to get it off and nothing. Finally, we were able to take it off," day care director Maritza Diaz said.

The trooper, who was working an accident near the playground, responded, and FHP spokeswoman Kim Miller said he was jumped by the animal. He tried to shoo the squirrel away, but it attacked again and scratched and bit him before he could escape.

He was treated and released at a local Centra Care for his injuries.

Squirrel attacks on humans are uncommon, but the rodents are known to bite if they are injured or feel trapped. Officials said the squirrel may be rabid, but officials said getting rabies from squirrels is unlikely.

Doctors often advise bite victims not to undergo post-bite rabies treatments, unless the squirrel attacked for no apparent reason.

The squirrel in the playground attack managed to escape.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: donotfeedanimals; florida; humanhabituated; squirrel; trooper
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To: BGHater

“He was treated and released at a local Centra Care for his injuries.”

The Squirrel?


21 posted on 11/13/2007 8:11:27 PM PST by tompster76
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To: BGHater
Animal behaving aberrantly is probably rabid.
22 posted on 11/13/2007 8:12:20 PM PST by TASMANIANRED (TAZ:Untamed, Unpredictable, Uninhibited.)
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To: Vince Ferrer
My Lab caught a big old male squirrel. It chewed her up a bit before she was able to kill it. She had a couple of bite wounds on her nose. She didn't yelp or squeal - she gave a low moan, like a human in pain, and then gave Mr. Squirrel a good hard shake that finished him off.

No stitches needed, but she was on antibiotics for a week. Apparently squirrels' mouths are totally filthy.

23 posted on 11/13/2007 8:14:22 PM PST by AnAmericanMother ((Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment)))
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To: SatinDoll
These little creatures sometimes have a condition akin to CJD, where they develop dimentia and their brains turn into a tangled mass of neurons. Cows get something similiar called Mad Cow Disease. It is all caused by prions, or folded protein. Unfortunately people can get it by eating squirrel brains. In parts of the south this is considered a delicacy and is a deadly habit.

That or it might have been someones pet that they turned loose in the park when they got tired or scared of it. The critter may have been used to jumping on people but not used to them fighting it off. They generally don't make good pets.

24 posted on 11/13/2007 8:24:34 PM PST by cva66snipe (Proud Partisan Constitution Supporting Conservative to which I make no apologies for nor back down)
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To: BGHater
Solution:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f5d_1172741350

25 posted on 11/13/2007 8:26:38 PM PST by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
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Buddy of mine was bit by a squirrel in the 70s and had to get the shots.


26 posted on 11/13/2007 8:33:29 PM PST by Zdenek
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To: BGHater

Our cat used to bring in squirrels until we removed the dog door after our dogs passed away. I open our doors and chaise them around the house until they find the door and run outside. No matter how often I have cornered one of them they have never attacked but will run past you. If it were my son I would go with rabies shots.


27 posted on 11/13/2007 8:34:20 PM PST by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: SquirrelKing

I’ll be keepin’ an eye on you.


28 posted on 11/13/2007 8:41:17 PM PST by beaversmom
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To: SatinDoll

Unfortunately people can get it by eating squirrel brains. In parts of the south this is considered a delicacy and is a deadly habit.

What a crok,,we don’t eat the brains,,just that part on the left rear paw on the third toe..,,everything else is poison,,if it’s road kill,,,,that’s different..


29 posted on 11/13/2007 8:51:38 PM PST by silentreignofheroes (When the Last Two Prophets are taken, there will be no Tomorrow!)
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To: BGHater

30 posted on 11/13/2007 8:52:18 PM PST by SIDENET (Hubba Hubba...)
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To: BGHater
The problem is spreading east out of California!!

Squirrels Go On Attack At South Bay Park

September 30, 2006

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- An aggressive squirrel pounced on a 4-year-old boy in an attack last week in Cuesta Park in Mountain View, Calif. The attack happened as the boy's mother unwrapped a muffin during a picnic.

The boy had to get rabies shot after the attack. He is still getting the shots.

The attack is not the first one reported at the park. Mountain View Community Services Director David Muela said that as many as six people have been bitten or scratched by squirrels since May, and that the attacks have become more ferocious in the last month.

Park Rangers spent Saturday patrolling the park. The city is trying to make sure people don't bring food into the children's play area at the park. "I think it's our fault, because we made them aggressive," Carmen Perez of Palo Alto said. "Now it's dangerous and we have to do something."


Typical Bay Area Liberal attitude, too. "It's our fault. We caused them to behave this way toward us. We've lost the respect of the squirrel community." Now where have I heard that before?

31 posted on 11/13/2007 8:57:30 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
The attack happened as the boy's mother unwrapped a muffin during a picnic.

"I think it's our fault, because we made them aggressive," Carmen Perez of Palo Alto said. "Now it's dangerous and we have to do something."

This parallel being drawn by Miz Perez does seem to follow the same line of thinking as the terrorist appeasers.

Unwrap muffin = Squirrel attack

Be a successful western country = terrorist attack

By the way, Cuesta Park is a nice park in Mtn. View. I used to have a lot of fun there when I was younger and lived in the area.

32 posted on 11/13/2007 9:13:49 PM PST by Disambiguator (Political Correctness is criminal insanity writ large.)
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To: BGHater

rats/fuzzy tails.....good pr


33 posted on 11/13/2007 9:21:25 PM PST by skinkinthegrass (just b/c your paranoid, doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you....Run, Fred, Run. :^)
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To: Eye of Unk

Squirrel profiling??


34 posted on 11/13/2007 9:26:49 PM PST by incredulous joe (“Is the glass half full, or half empty? It depends on whether you're pouring, or drinking.” - Cosby)
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To: BGHater
It's only a bloody squirrel!

 


35 posted on 11/13/2007 9:33:26 PM PST by Wally_Kalbacken (Seldom right but never in doubt)
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To: BGHater
Officials said the squirrel may be rabid, but officials said getting rabies from squirrels is unlikely.

Yeah, because they are unlikely to survive an encounter with a rabid skunk or a rabid raccoon, the principle "vectors" in the transmission of the disease. So not many squirrels out there are carriers. But when one does survive, he is rabid and will most certainly pass it on to you if he bites you.

Man, I can't believe they're not going to give this kid his shots. If he were my kid, I think I'd insist on it, unless children that age can't tolerate the shots for some reason.

36 posted on 11/13/2007 9:35:22 PM PST by LibWhacker (Democrats are phony Americans)
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To: BGHater
Squirrel in question


37 posted on 11/13/2007 9:35:45 PM PST by LukeL
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To: BGHater
In a related story...


38 posted on 11/13/2007 9:37:24 PM PST by Triggerhippie (Always use a silencer in a crowd. Loud noises offend people.)
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To: Triggerhippie; Brucifer

39 posted on 11/13/2007 9:40:31 PM PST by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

On the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Campus squirrels will walk right up to you with no fear. It must be a great life for a squirrel, having 25,000 people dropping food everywhere with no risk of being eaten.


40 posted on 11/13/2007 9:48:51 PM PST by LukeL
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