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Puss caterpillar bites woman at Cape Coral dog park

Posted at 10:38 PM, Nov 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-14 09:26:17-05

A Cape Coral resident was bitten by a puss caterpillar Monday afternoon at Rotary Park Environmental Center, also known as Rotary Dog Park.

After she was bitten, she rushed herself to Cape Coral Hospital, where they gave her a steroid shot to minimize the inflammation. 

Solita King tells Fox 4 her case was so rare, the doctors "weren't quite sure how to treat the bite." Eventually, they created a baking soda and water mix to help removed the caterpillar hairs. 

King says only 30 minutes went by before she felt excruciating pain in her right hand. She recalls it being "the worst pain" she's ever felt in her life.

Since the incident, Rotary Dog Park posted a sign near the entrance which says "Caution. Puss caterpillars are present in the park. They can cause a severe sting."

Fox 4 spoke with another dog owner, Jackie Lavelle, and she told us the situation scares her but not enough to stop going to the local dog park. "My husband and I have been going here for eight years" Lavelle says. "I'm going to continue to bring my dog here."

Solita King's hand is almost back to normal and she's willing to return to the park after all puss caterpillars are removed.