Baby bitten nearly 100 times by pet rat

                  Associated Press, 05/07/98 17:22

                  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - A 6-month-old boy was in critical condition
                  after being bitten nearly 100 times by his family's 5-pound pet rat.

                  The 21-year-old mother of Lamonte Coruthers told police that the baby had
                  been asleep in a bedroom for 10 to 15 minutes Wednesday when she went
                  to check on him and found him covered with blood. She said she had had
                  the stereo on and did not hear any cries from him.

                  The child lost a large amount of blood and may need reconstructive surgery
                  on the muscle of his upper left arm, police spokeman Dee Anderson said.
                  The child also had bites on his face, right arm and left foot.

                  Animal control officers captured and destroyed the white rat, which had
                  apparently escaped from a fish tank, Anderson said.
 
 

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