THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 18, 1995 TAG: 9501180429
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JUDITH PARKER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Nearly three weeks after Lottie Burke was attacked and bitten by a pit bull, the 76-year-old woman began a series of rabies shots Tuesday because the dog's owner said he doesn't know where the animal is.
On the morning of Dec. 28, Burke headed to a neighbor's for a cup of coffee, much as she had done for the past seven years. First, though, Burke walked a block from her South Street home in Westhaven to drop off mail in the postal box at the corner of Augusta and Columbia streets.
Then, as she turned to retrace her steps along Columbia and back toward her friend's home, the ordinary nature of the morning ended.
Two dogs, one a small, brown furball, the second a white pit bull with brown spots, were at her heels.
``They just came out of nowhere,'' Burke said.
``All of a sudden the white dog grabbed me and started biting at my leg,'' Burke said.
``The best I can remember I never fell down,'' she recalled, ``even though the dog would bite . . . then let go. He just kept coming at me . . . nipping at me and my coat. It was a couple of days later before I even knew there were bruises and puncture marks on my arms and back. Everything just happened so fast.''
Burke's screams caught the attention of neighbors, one of whom scared away the dog.
Three weeks after the incident, Burke's legs remain bruised and swollen. Three bite wounds, two on her right leg, one on her left, are closed with about 20 stitches. One of the wounds required an irrigation tube to wash out the cavity of the pierced tissue of Burke's right calf muscle.
Because of the extent of Burke's injuries, the Bureau of Animal Control sought to have the dog turned over to its custody to be killed, said E.A. Anderson, department supervisor.
The dog's owner, Michael Forbush, however, did not comply with a Circuit Court order to surrender the animal to authorities by Jan. 9. He was arrested Friday and arraigned Tuesday on a contempt-of-court charge.
Forbush originally was charged with possession of a vicious dog and concealment of a pit bull, said assistant commonwealth's attorney Rufus A. Banks Jr.
``With respect to locating the dog, that's a moot point now since the victim has begun receiving the rabies inoculations,'' Banks said.
According to Anderson, Forbush says he since gave the dog to someone in North Carolina and does not know the animal's whereabouts.
``Our concern all along,'' Anderson stated, ``was to find the dog so Mrs. Burke would not have to have the rabies shots. At this time, the dog has still not been turned in.''
The incubation period for rabies can be as short as five days or as long as 12 months, said Sheila Spence, communicable disease coordinator for the Health Department.
``Each case is handled differently,'' she said. ``and it is generally recommended that the inoculations be given as soon as possible.''
Spence said the vaccine is given in a series of five shots, in the arms, over a 28-day period. Along with the first shot of vaccine, a rabies immune globulin is administered offering passive immunity to the virus, as well as helping fight possible wound infection.
Side effects to the inoculations are minimal, although they might cause some swelling and redness, Spence said. While uncommon, headaches and nausea can occur.
``My doctor told me not to stand any more than I have to,'' Burke said. ``But I'm a real active person, and this has really gone mighty against me.''
Just like her daily coffee klatch, everyday tasks such as shopping and banking are on indefinite hold for Burke.
``What I really miss, though, are my church-circle meetings, and my bingo games,'' Burke said. ``That's been real upsetting.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MARK MITCHELL/Staff
Lottie Burke, 76, received 20 stitches in her leg after being bitten
by a dog. She had to start rabies shots Tuesday because the dog
couldn't be caught for testing. Its owner said he gave the dog to
someone in North Carolina.
KEYWORDS: DOG BITES ARREST by CNB