River otter assaults child at marina near Seattle

In Bremerton, Washington, a child was attacked by a river otter at a marina, where the otter seized the child from a dock and into the water. Fortunately, the child was quickly rescued by their mother during the incident that took place at the Bremerton Marina in Kitsap County. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers disclosed in a news release that the child went underwater briefly but resurfaced soon after.

The otter kept biting and scratching as the mother retrieved the child from the water. Subsequently, the animal pursued them as they moved away from the dock, according to wildlife officials. Following the attack, the child received medical treatment at a hospital. Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Ken Balazs commended the mother for her swift response and the child’s resilience, stating gratitude that the victim only sustained minor injuries. Additionally, he expressed appreciation to the Port of Bremerton for their prompt coordination and communication with the marina tenants.

Authorities successfully trapped the otter and transferred it to a disease diagnostic lab for testing, including screening for rabies, as detailed in the news release. The department announced that the results of the disease testing could be available as soon as next Tuesday. Officials highlighted that river otters are prevalent in Washington, inhabiting both freshwater and saltwater environments. While encounters with humans are uncommon, the department noted six incidents over the past decade. Officials cautioned that river otters can exhibit territorial behavior and, like all wildlife, can behave unpredictably.