Ocala woman bitten by dog while feeding homeless, vows to continue mission
The Brief
An Ocala woman was bitten in the face by a dog while feeding the homeless but remains committed to her weekly outreach.
Nicole Burch, a former homeless woman herself, is recovering and undergoing rabies treatment.
Despite the attack, she and her husband say they'll return to serve the community as usual.
OCALA, Fla. - An Ocala woman is recovering from injuries after being bitten in the face by a dog while distributing food to the homeless over the weekend.
What we know
Nicole Burch of Ocala was bitten in the face by a dog over the weekend while distributing food to the homeless with her husband, Willie.
The incident left her with facial injuries requiring multiple stitches and a rabies vaccination series. The dog is believed to belong to a homeless person in the area, but the owner has not been identified.
What we don't know
Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the dog's owner, and it remains unclear whether the animal has been located or vaccinated. Animal control is investigating, but the lack of information may hinder further action.
The backstory
Nicole and Willie Burch began feeding the homeless in Ocala a year ago, distributing about 80 food bags each week. Their mission is rooted in personal experience—Nicole was once homeless herself and lived on Interstate 95 for five years.
Local perspective
The Burches' work is supported by Fellowship Baptist Church in Ocala, which now accepts food donations to aid in their outreach. Their ongoing presence has made them known in the community, and the attack has drawn attention to both the risks and the resilience involved in grassroots charity efforts.
What they're saying
Nicole Burch was volunteering with her husband, Willie, when the dog, believed to belong to a homeless individual, suddenly lunged and bit her. The incident left Burch with visible wounds and required multiple stitches to her lip.
"The dog jumped up and bit my wife in the face," Willie Burch told a 911 operator. "She got a big old hole in her face on her lip."
The couple, who began their weekly outreach a year ago, package and deliver about 80 bags of food to local shelters.
Despite the attack, the couple said she remains committed to the cause.
"We do this because God has brought us from so far," Willie said.
"This won't stop us," Nicole said, adding that they plan to return to their usual distribution site next Saturday. "Same place, same place, giving out, feeding the homeless."
What's next
Nicole Burch is due for her second of three rabies shots on Tuesday.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:
Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV
The Source
This story was written based on information shared by the Ocala Police Department and by Nicole and Willie Burch.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kiel house fire near 6th and Chicago; stovetop left on; $25K in damage
The Brief Kiel Fire & Rescue responded to the scene of a house fire on Friday morning, June 6. Firefighters located the fire in the kitchen. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature, resulting from the stove top being left on. KIEL, Wis. - A home in Kiel was damaged by a fire on Friday morning, June 6. Crews were called to the area of 6th and Chicago around 2:20 a.m. What we know When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found smoke coming from the building. It was confirmed that all occupants had evacuated, and the Kiel Police Department assisted in evacuating residents from the upstairs unit. Firefighters located the fire in the kitchen. Crews quickly secured the area, ventilated the home to eliminate lingering smoke, and conducted overhaul operations to check for fire extension. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android A working smoke detector alerted the occupants in the lower unit, enabling the three individuals who were asleep at the time to evacuate before fire crews arrived. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature, resulting from the stove top being left on and combustible items being left on or near the stove top. There were no injuries to the occupants or responding personnel. The preliminary damage estimate is $25,000. The Source The information in this post was provided by Kiel Fire & Rescue.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Governor DeSantis signs bill aimed at improving Florida firefighter safety
The Brief A new Florida law is aimed at looking out for the health and safety of Florida's firefighters. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 929 in Palm Beach Gardens on Thursday. The law takes effect July 1. PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - A bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed on Thursday aims to strengthen and support the physical and mental health of firefighters in Florida. The governor signed HB 929 at the 81st Annual Convention of the Florida Professional Firefighters in Palm Beach Gardens. What they're saying DeSantis said the legislation enhances Florida's commitment to the health and safety of firefighters, and updates the Florida Firefighters Occupational Safety and Health Act to reflect the full scope of harm firefighters face. "We, of course, ask our firefighters to face danger at a moment's notice," DeSantis said. "You have to run into the fire. You have to respond to emergencies, and you obviously are exposed to a lot of really significant trauma and that takes a toll not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. This bill ensures we recognize and respond to those realities." READ: DeSantis praises Florida's university improvement at Education Commissioner's Summit The bill requires the State Fire Marshal's office to monitor mental health impacts like suicide risks, and create prevention protocols to mitigate mental health risks and exposure to toxic substances. It also requires fire departments to buy gear without hazardous chemicals once it's available, and employers have to tell firefighters if their current gear has toxic substances. The legislation limits firefighters' shifts to 42 hours per week, as well, to reduce burnout. What's next The Florida House and the Senate passed the bill unanimously. It goes into effect July 1. The Source This article was written using information from the office of Governor Ron DeSantis. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Hay bales on Bradenton Beach safeguard sea turtles
The Brief The 2024 hurricane season washed away sand dunes, sea oats and other vegetation which helped protect nesting sea turtles. Hay bales are now used to help block light and keep turtles on the right track. A female loggerhead sea turtle was recently rescued from inside a swimming pool after bypassing two fences. BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. - Bradenton Beach saw extreme damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Not only were homes and businesses destroyed, but were the beach dunes and all the vegetation that helps protect the coastline and the animals that visit the beach, including sea turtles. Right now, as Florida enters peak nesting season, Manatee County came up with a unique idea to protect nesting. OTHER NEWS: Turtle nests delay temporary fix to Manasota Key Road Hurricane Helene's storm surge washed away dunes, sea oats and local vegetation. All played a role in protecting sea turtles and their hatchlings from light that can disorient or confuse them. What they're saying "We were all trying to find out about what we could do to help the turtles so we could keep them from getting into the road. We wanted to be proactive, we wanted to be preventative and make sure the turtles were safe," said Kristen Mazzarella, the Executive Director of the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird monitoring. The backstory Manatee County Natural Resources came up with the idea. Crews went to work and staked organic, seed-free hay as barriers for the turtles. Seed-free hay ensures nothing will take root on Bradenton Beach that doesn't belong there and helps keep the beach as natural as possible. The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch was pleased with the idea. "The hay bales are here blocking the rock revetments, so the hatchlings can make their way into the rock revetments. Also, it's blocking the adult turtles from getting into the road. There's a lot of areas they'd have direct access into the road, and it's turning them to a different direction," said Mazzarella. With the hay bales now in place, Manatee County and the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch are asking visitors to keep their hands off and let the hay do its job. In keeping the turtles safe through another nesting season with a few new challenges. What's next As of June 5, 2024, the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch documented 149 turtle nests along the beaches of Anna Maria Island. If you find a sea turtle in distress (adult or hatchling), call AMITW at 941-301-8434 or FWC at 888-404-3922. The Source Information was gathered by FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
