Chilling new video shows otter stalking family down dock where child was dragged under water in horrific attack
A chilling new video shows an otter stalking a family along a wharf before viciously attacking a little boy and dragging him into the water.
Surveillance footage shows the moment a mother walked quickly down the dock with her children in tow before fleeing when an otter chased them at Bremerton Marina around 9:30 a.m. on September 12.
The otter grabbed one of her children and dragged them underwater, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). KIRO 7.
You can see the little otter pop up on the dock right behind the family and run after the family of four.
Moments later, the otter attacked the mother and one of her children before dragging the child underwater as he cried. The mother fought back bravely to retrieve her child from the water as soon as it resurfaced.
Surveillance footage shows the moment a mother walked quickly down the dock with her children in tow before fleeing when an otter chased them around 9:30 a.m. at Bremerton Marina on September 12.
You can see the little otter pop up on the dock right behind the family and run after the family of four. Moments later, the otter attacked the mother and one of her children before dragging the child underwater as he cried
But the otter was unrelenting and bit the child on the arm as he was lifted into the air. The otter continued to chase them along the dock until they finally escaped.
According to KIRO 7 and WDFW, the boy was taken to the hospital to be treated for bites and scratches on his face, head and legs.
A spokesperson for WDFW said otters usually leave people alone unless they are territorial to protect their pups. It is unclear whether this animal had babies nearby.
The otter, which was trapped and killed, is now being tested for rabies, KIRO 7 reported.
WDFW Sergeant Ken Balazs said, “We are grateful that the victim suffered only minor injuries, thanks to the mother’s quick actions and the child’s resilience.
“We would also like to thank the Port of Bremerton for their prompt coordination and communication with their marina tenants.”
The boy was taken to hospital to be treated for bites and scratches on his face, head and legs
A spokesperson for WDFW said otters usually leave people alone unless they are territorial to protect their pups. It is unclear whether this animal had babies nearby
According to WDFW, there have been six documented river otter attacks in Washington in the past decade.
River otters are common in Washington. Although encounters with river otters are rare, they can be territorial and unpredictable.
This attack comes three months after California beachgoers ran screaming and crying after a protective sea lion lunged at them.
Lauren Bertrand was visiting La Jolla Cove in San Diego on June 23 when she captured the images of the angry sea lion.
Before the attack on beachgoers, the marine mammal was swimming through the area with its babies. The sea lion almost came face to face with a swimmer before swimming away, leaving the people unharmed.