BREMERTON, Wash. — A child and their mother were attacked by a river otter at the Bremerton Marina Thursday morning.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), a woman and her young child were walking on a dock around 9:30 a.m. when the river otter pulled the child into the water.
The woman said the child was underwater for a few moments before resurfacing.
WDFW officials say the otter kept attacking the woman while she pulled the child out of the water.
The child was treated at a hospital in Silverdale for scratches and bite wounds to the head, face and legs.
River otter attacks are rare, and WDFW officials advise against instigating any close encounters.
There have been six documented human-river otter incidents in Washington state in the last decade.
“When we do see this on the rare occasion that it does occur, it’s for territoriality or protecting its pups.
Jen Royce, who lives in Bozeman, Montana, was attacked by a river otter last summer.
“Not to let your guard down and hopefully, if someone learns something from my story.
Washington, BremerTON. At the Bremerton Marina on Thursday morning, a river otter attacked a child and their mother.
Around 9:30 a.m., a woman and her small child were strolling along a dock, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). me. when the youngster was dragged into the water by the river otter. The mother claimed that the child briefly submerged itself before coming to the surface.
As the woman was pulling the child out of the water, the otter continued to attack her, according to WDFW officials.
The young patient received care at a Silverdale hospital for bite and scratch wounds to his head, face, and legs. On her arm, the woman was bitten.
WDFW Sergeant Ken Balazs stated in a prepared statement, “We are grateful the victim only sustained minor injuries due to the mother’s quick actions and child’s resiliency.”. We also want to express our gratitude to the Port of Bremerton for promptly coordinating and informing its marina tenants. “.
As stated by WDFW, the U.S. will “trap and lethally remove” the otters in the marina. s. Wildlife Services Department of Agriculture, followed by rabies testing.
Although river otter attacks are uncommon, WDFW representatives advise against initiating any close encounters. In the past ten years, there have been six recorded incidents in Washington state involving humans and river otters.
“On the rare occasions that we witness this, it’s done to defend its pups or out of territoriality. WDFW’s Matt Blankenship stated, “If it’s a female, it’s protecting its pups.”.
And while many consider them to be adorable, inquisitive animals. They have the potential to seriously hurt people.
Last summer, a river otter attacked Jen Royce, a resident of Bozeman, Montana. The damage was quite substantial.
“On each cheek, I had enormous bite wounds. A large gash on the left side of my eye. Thank goodness it missed my eye. “It pierced my nostrils,” Royce exclaimed.
Her intention is to caution others about the animal.
“Rising awareness is my primary objective. I’m not in favor of people killing otters. That is not the purpose of this. Royce stated, “It’s about attempting to be more prepared in nature.”. “To remain vigilant and, ideally, impart any valuable knowledge from my narrative to someone.”. I think the reason I’m still here is because of it. “. .
