Uncommon assault takes place at Washington marina as river otter hauls youngster off pier and submerges them underwater.
The otter dragged the young kid beneath the water while the mom was still on the Bremerton Marina dock in Kitsap County. The marina is located in Washington's Kitsap County.
Shortly afterwards, the otter emerged from the water, allowing the mom to rescue her child. However, the animal turned aggressive, biting the mother on the arm. This information was released by the official statement from the wildlife department.
The otter continued to pursue the family as they attempted to leave the dock. The child suffered scratches and bites on their head, face, and legs as a result. They were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. The injuries were described as mild by authorities.
Department of Fish and Wildlife Sergeant Ken Balazs commended the mother's quick thinking and the child's resilience.
Wildlife Services from the United States Department of Agriculture were called to capture and eliminate any river otters from the marina. A river otter was caught at the scene of the attack and transported to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab for examination and testing for rabies.
River otters are relatively plentiful in Washington and can be found in various types of water environments, including fresh, brackish, and saltwater. Although encounters with river otters are rare, they can be territorial and unpredictable, as stated in the official announcement from the agency.
In the past decade, six incidents involving humans and river otters have been documented in Washington state.
Last year, three women were attacked by an otter while floating down the Jefferson River in Montana. All three victims sought medical treatment for their injuries. One woman suffered more severe injuries and was airlifted to a hospital.
After the incident, the authorities urged the public to maintain a safe distance from river otters due to their unpredictable behavior, as mentioned in the latest community alert from the wildlife department.
Despite the danger, our family loves spending time near water bodies, and we always keep an eye out for us and our children, acknowledging the advice from the recent public safety notice from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
