Horror as river otter drags child off a dock and underwater in vicious attack… before beast met grim end
Panic broke out at a Washington marina when a child was dragged off a dock into the water by a territorial river otter.
The unnamed infant, who was walking on the dock with his mother, was suddenly dragged away by a river otter in a rare attack at the Bremerton Marina in Kitsap County on Sept. 12.
The mother fought back bravely to pull her child from the water when they resurfaced.
But the otter was relentless and bit the child on the arm as they were lifted into the air. The otter continued to chase them until they were out of danger.
The child has scratches and bites on the top of the head, face and legs, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife said.
A child walking with his mother on the dock was suddenly dragged by a river otter in the rare attack at Bremerton Marina in Kitsap County on Sept. 12 (stock image)
The mother struggled valiantly to free her baby, but she was still left with scratches and bites on the top of her head, face and legs, according to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). Pictured: Bremerton Harborside Marina in Bremerton, Washington
The child and mother have not been identified, but the child was reportedly treated for his injuries at a Silverdale hospital.
WDFW Sergeant Ken Balazs said, “We are thankful that the victim only sustained 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services captured and euthanized the river otter. The remains were taken to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab for testing, including for rabies, Fox 13 Seattle reported.
According to the WDFW, there have been six documented attacks by river otters 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.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services captured and euthanized the river otter (stock image)
The attack occurred three months ago, after beachgoers in California ran screaming and crying as a protective sea lion approached them.
Lauren Bertrand visited La Jolla Cove in San Diego on June 23 and captured footage of the angry sea lion.
Before attacking beachgoers, the marine mammal was swimming around the area with its babies. The sea lion came close to confronting a swimmer before swimming away, leaving the people unharmed.