A river otter pulled a young child underwater in Washington state Thursday morning while a mother and child walked on a marina dock, wildlife officials said.
The otter continued to attack as the mother struggled to pull her child from the water at Bremerton Marina, and she was bitten on the arm by the animal. The pair were pursued by the otter as they left the dock, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said in a news release.
The child had scratches and bites on the head, face and legs and was treated at a hospital.
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Otter attacks are rare in Washington, officials said. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
“We are grateful the victim only sustained minor injuries, due to the mother’s quick actions and child’s resiliency,” said WDFW Sgt. Ken Balazs. “We would also like to thank the Port of Bremerton for their quick coordination and communication to their marina tenants.”
The otter was later trapped and euthanized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, and its body will be tested for rabies at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab.
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According to the WDFW, river otters are common in the state and live in fresh, brackish or saltwater habitats.
The department said that while encounters with otters are rare, the animals can be territorial. They may also be protective of food resources, especially when those resources are scarce.
The attack happened at the Port of Bremerton in Washington state. (Port of Bremerton)
In the last decade, there have been six documented incidents between river otters and humans in the state, the department said.
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Last year, three women in Montana were injured after they were attacked by an otter while tubing the Jefferson River. One of the women was airlifted with serious injuries.
Last year in California, a sea otter known as “841” also gained widespread attention for wrestling surfboards from surfers off the coast of Santa Cruz.
Fox News Digital’s Julia Musto contributed to this report.