Md. Woman Exposed To Rabies Following Deer's Kick

LAVALE, Md. (AP) -- It's strange enough to be kicked in the face by a deer, let alone one with rabies.

But that's what happened to one western Maryland woman this month.

Theresa Stevens, of LaVale, tells the Cumberland Times-News that she encountered the deer on July 6 after letting her dog out of the house.

Stevens says the deer rose on its hind legs, knocking her in the cheek with one hoof and on the shoulder with the other, before she pushed it away. She placed the animal's head in a bucket of water -- which she believes led her to be exposed to rabies.

The deer was euthanized. A laboratory test confirmed rabies.

Stevens, who says she developed muscle pain and a headache, will be taking shots into next month.

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