Indonesian woman fights off Komodo dragon attack

An 83-year-old Indonesian woman was able to escape with her life by warding off an attacking Komodo Dragon with a broom Tuesday.

Haisah was attacked by the 6-foot-long monitor lizard outside her home on the island of Rinca, which is famous for its aggressive Komodo Dragon population.

"I kicked the Komodo on one its front legs with all my strength, it was only one kick but it made the Komodo let go of my hand, then I screamed for help," Haisah said, describing the attack from her hospital bed in Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores.

Haisah's right hand required 35 stitches, hospital officials said.

Komodo dragon bites are fairly common on Rinca, where three other attacks have already occured this year. Although most attacks are not fatal, scientists recently discovered that the bite of the Komodo dragon is venomous. The lizards can grow up to three meters -- about 10 feet -- in length.

But the octogenarian broom maker, who goes only by one name, as is common in the region, said she won't let the injury slow her down.

"I'm doing fine now," she said. "I hope my hand will return to normal so that I can make brooms again."