Mum who stroked stray dog is first to die from rabies in UK for 7 years

A GRANDMOTHER has died from rabies after being scratched by a puppy on holiday.

- By Charlie Fenton

Yvonne Ford, 59, who was infected in Morocco in February, is the first person in the UK to die from the disease for seven years.

In a Facebook tribute to her mother, Yvonne's daughter Robyn Thomson said the grieving family were "choosing to speak up in the hope of preventing this from happening to others".

Robyn, 32, said: "Yvonne was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco. At the time she did not think any harm would come of it and didn't think much of it.

"Two weeks ago she became ill, starting with a headache, and [it] resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love.

Bite

"Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets and educate those around you."

An inquest into the death of Yvonne, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was opened and adjourned in Sheffield yesterday.