It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of June Baxter, an 83-year-old woman from the United Kingdom, who died following a rare but severe bacterial infection believed to have been caused by a dog licking an open wound. The tragic and unusual circumstances of her death were detailed in recent testimony from Norfolk Coroner Johanna Thompson, as first reported by The Telegraph.
On June 29, Mrs. Baxter, described by the coroner as being “in frail health,” suffered a fall in her bathroom and sustained a cut to her leg. She alerted her granddaughter for help, who arrived accompanied by her pet dog. During the visit, it is believed that the dog licked the fresh wound on Baxter’s leg.
The following day, June began feeling unwell and was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a rapidly spreading infection. Medical professionals later identified the bacteria as Pasteurella multocida, a microorganism commonly found in the mouths of domestic animals such as dogs and cats.
Coroner Thompson clarified that the cause of death was not related to Baxter’s age or the fall itself, but rather the infection caused by the dog’s saliva. “She was diagnosed with an infection which was subsequently identified to be arising from a domestic dog lick,” Thompson stated.
According to the National Institutes of Health, Pasteurella multocida is a leading cause of infection following pet bites or scratches. In some vulnerable individuals, especially those with compromised immune systems or preexisting health issues, exposure can lead to severe illness or even death.
June Baxter is remembered by her family as a gentle and loving woman, devoted to her loved ones. Her passing serves as a somber reminder of how even ordinary interactions with pets can pose risks to those in fragile health.
She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.
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