Cas Overton describes herself as a terrific animal lover. While bird-watching this week at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden where she volunteers, her self-preservation instinct kicked in when she was attacked by a raccoon.
Overton told the Richmond Times-Dispatch the creature ran at her from nearby bushes. The raccoon "grabbed a hold of my pant leg and bit me at the same time," she said.
Fearing that she could not outrun the wild animal, Overton grabbed the animal's neck. "So I threw it to the ground, and I strangled it with both hands," she told the newspaper.
When Overton was certain the raccoon was dead, she ran for help.
Overton was taken to a local hospital for treatment, including rabies prevention shots.
This week, state laboratory tests confirmed that the raccoon was rabid.
Overton credits four decades of teaching tai chi with helping her keep a cool head.
“I think that the presence of mind, and the focusing on the moment was just with me to manage to do this,” she concluded.
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