Disabled granny attacked by ferret as she rode mobility scooter in Bingham
A GRANDMOTHER was left bleeding and shaken after being attacked by a ferret while she rode her mobility scooter.
Florence Taylor, 86, was on her way to the shops when the animal jumped into the scooter.
It bit her leg and hung on with its teeth piercing her flesh.
Mrs Taylor forced the ferret off, with the help of a neighbour, by beating it with her walking stick, but she was left in agony.
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She said the animal was hanging on to her leg for several minutes.
The grandmother of ten, from Bingham, said: "Both of us were trying to knock it off but I could see its teeth hanging on.
"It was a traumatic experience."
Mrs Taylor, of Edinburgh Drive, has a heart condition and also takes blood-thinning drug warfarin after being treated for clots on her lungs.
She said: "My shoe was full of blood. It was very scary – I didn't know what to do."
After her daughter arrived and dressed the injury, the pensioner went to her GP where she was given a tetanus injection and a course of antibiotics.
Mrs Taylor, whose husband died 26 years ago, was unable to walk for several days. She said: "I do all my own shopping and usually go round to a friend's every morning but I haven't been able to since.
She added: "I will definitely be wary when I do go out."
Mrs Taylor's neighbour, who helped fend off the ferret, did not want to be named, but said: "I noticed something darting around her scooter. I was very surprised. There was a pool of blood on the road."
The 57-year-old said: "I was just trying to bat it away – it was bizarre.
"It's a bit worrying – imagine if it had attacked a child. You just don't expect these things."
Graham Harrison, 52 who lives on Hill Drive where the incident took place has two ferrets, but said that his were locked away.
He added: "They are quite friendly as I handle them every day – they are pets. It couldn't have been them though – it must have been a wild one to attack someone like that."
Residents of Bingham were shocked by the attack.
Valerie White, 65, of Landale Grove, said: "It's really worrying – I just hope she is OK."
Mike Rand, 69, of Orchard Avenue said: "It's surprising, I have never heard anything like it. You just don't expect it."
Hairdresser Jade Shields, 16, said: "Where on earth did it come from? I would have been very scared."
Ferrets have a reputation as pleasant creatures. Andy Handley , chairman of the British Ferret Club, said: "It's not something I have come across often. They only bite generally if they are frightened. If they do bite because they are scared they will sink their teeth in and stay locked on."
Notts Police said it was not a criminal matter. The RSPCA also said it was not something they would deal with.
Comments
by signsum1
Thursday, November 22 2012, 9:45AM
“If they're looking for the guilty party they should try Brotowe, they all look like Ferret's round there.”
by DebbieM
Friday, November 09 2012, 12:53AM
“Poor little ferret was probaly starving. Ferrets have a very high metabolism and need to eat very regularly. If the ferret has escaped and is a lost pet it could just have been very hungry and bitten because it associates humans with food. Hope the Lady recovers soon and the ferret is reunited with it's human carers.”
by Daz_Draycott
Thursday, November 08 2012, 1:37PM
“where has my comment gone NEP, it wasn't rude....”
by wilburv
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 10:02PM
“I wonder if it was as painful as the bite I got from a budgie once? Now that really was painful, oh and a horse drew blood on me once too. All animals will bite when frightened a ferret is no exception.”
by wilburv
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 10:00PM
“bet it wasn't as bad as the bite i had from a budgie once, now that really was painful.”
by grammamamma
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 6:20PM
“I hope Mrs. Taylor recovers her mobility soon. An animal bite can be excruciatingly painful, and the treatment can also make you feel rotten for a while. It's not a pleasant experience at all, and certainly not something you would expect when going on a trip to the shops.
However, I have to admit to having had a little chuckle too, because it's such an unlikely headline. My husband was in the garden when an unknown cockatoo ran across the lawn and bit him. It was a shock and it was painful - left scarring for several days. But even he had to see the funny side of it. It's just not a hazard you expect while gardening.”
by Onepie
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 4:53PM
“That is a blatant rabbiting pun from Jade Sheilds. Well played.”
by mof_gedling
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 4:13PM
“did the lady get a good look at the assailant?,perhaps the police should round up some local suspects and have an identity parade.
it might have been a nasty weasel pretending to be a ferret,surely cctv can trace its movements and find out where it lives.”
by DunkirkPie
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 2:38PM
“Have the Pulitzer Prize Board been notified??”
by SlickSpoons
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 2:30PM
“I spoke to the ferret earlier and he claims that Mrs Taylor ran over his tail and then flicked him the V sign.
The injury to the ferret's tail required medical treatment but King's Mill hospital had to cancel the operation after a rat was rushed into theatre after being shot in the leg Hyson Green.
A pack of terriers are currently being questioned about the attack.”