Rabies attacks the central nervous system through a virus in the saliva of an animal.

L. Baskin, a retired bookkeeper and widow, said she was attacked while trying to sweep her porch in the 5000 block of Ash Court. She said the dog that bit her and knocked her down was one of two that were in her yard. She described them both as pit bulls. Before Tuesday, she had never seen the animals.

“I’m too old to get dog bit and I’m way too old to have to get that kind of shot,” she said. “Those dogs nearly scared me to death.”

The 37-year neighborhood resident is taking antibiotics for the bite. Baskin declined to go to the hospital after she was bitten, but as of Thursday had already visited the doctor twice.

A neighbor is circulating fliers asking people who have spotted the dogs to report them to authorities so they can be tested for rabies. Roberta Barnett, who took Baskin to get medical attention, said Baskin was bit on her left thigh.

“The bite was really deep and it bled really badly, but it’s doing better now,” Barnett said Thursday. “She was out in the yard for awhile after she was bitten because we couldn’t hear her screaming.”

Once the animals are found, Barnett said, “all we want to know is if they have had rabies shots.”

Kim Schoolcraft, Galveston County animal services manager, said authorities are keeping an eye out for the dogs. “We’re not sure which of the two dogs bit her,” she said. “Right now, they’re nowhere to be found.”

Schoolcraft said the window before shots are necessary is about 10 days.

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
409-938-2211 or 409-392-0007
kkoopman@gchd.org