FORT WALTON BEACH - The 91-year-old man attacked by a Muscovy duck in a local park is out of the hospital and recovering from his injuries, according to his daughter.
Cheryl Neumann said her father, Wilmer Neumann, was hospitalized for six days after puncture wounds in his calf became infected.
“He’s still recuperating but he’s improved a lot,’ she said Tuesday. “It’s been a slow process.”
Wilmer, a World War II veteran, was injured Aug. 5 at Ferry Park while walking along a concrete walking path with his grandson.
A male Muscovy duck flew onto his back and caught one of its talons in his calf on the way down. As the duck struggled to get its talon out of the man’s leg, Wilmer reached around and grabbed it by the neck.
He has had both knees replaced and walks slowly, he said. He believes that his speed may have provoked the duck to attack him.
Panhandle Animal Welfare Society animal control officers captured two Muscovies at the park four days later, clipped their wings and moved them to a parcel of land in Holt.
Cheryl Neumann said doctors told her father that the deepest puncture wound may take up to a month to heal. He had eight wounds from the attack.
The deepest wounds may be those that can’t be seen. Cheryl said her father is having nightmares.
“I think he’s got a post traumatic stress disorder,” she said. “He wakes up in the middle of the night and relives the attack.
“He just wasn’t expecting it.”
Contact Daily News Assignment Editor Wendy Victora at 850-315-4478 or wvictora@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @WendyVnwfdn.