An Abbeville woman says a nutria known as Norman ran at her in her local Wal-Mart, scaring her into a panic attack and making her injure her back and foot.Rebecca White’s lawsuit says employees not only knew a wild animal was at large in the store, but had given it a pet name and failed to warn shoppers.

Nutria look like small beavers with rat-like tails. Would-be fur farmers around the country imported them, then released them in swamps when they proved unprofitable.

The Whites’ attorney, Anthony Fontana, says White needed surgery for bones broken and nerves damaged when she pulled her shopping cart toward her in an attempt to protect herself.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Michelle Bradford says the company has not been served with a lawsuit but is investigating.

From the Associated Press