DELTONA, Fla. —”It’s jumping on people and biting them and scratching them. So we need help.”
WESH 2 News obtained the 911 call made when a squirrel attacked people in a local retirement community.
Dispatcher: “How many people were bitten?”
Caller: “At least three or four.”
There were tense moments inside Sterling Court Gracious Retirement Living in Deltona.
Two residents and a staff member suffered from serious squirrel bites.
“We need some care for people here,” a caller told a 911 dispatcher.
Soaking up the sun, a woman sitting outside encountered the unexpected when the wild animal latched onto her leg. A mammal that normally feasts off seeds began sinking its teeth into the resident.
Unable to get rid of the rodent, the woman immediately ran inside the center for help.
“Do you need an ambulance?” the dispatcher asked the caller.
“Yes, yes,” the resident said.
As people attempted to aid the woman, an attack ensued.
“It’s in our activity room, and it’s jumping on people and biting them and scratching them,” the caller said. “It’s still in there, and people are bleeding.”
Soon after the assault, the animal was put outdoors.
“The squirrel has been tossed outside,” the caller told a 911 dispatcher.
As the retirement center returns to normalcy, people living there hope they never see that much action in the activity room again.
WESH 2 News spoke with the company that runs the senior center. Officials detailed what happened, but would not state whether they are doing anything to prevent another attack.
All three people injured were released from the hospital and were “doing well” as of Thursday night.