A young child has sustained "minor injuries" and is currently recovering after being involved in a rare otter attack in Washington. While visiting the Bremerton Marina, which is in Kitsap County, on September 12, 2024, the mother says that an otter pulled her child off the dock that they were walking on and dragged the child underwater.
According to People magazine, after a few moments, the child resurfaced. Authorities did not provide the name of the mother or her child or say how old the child is.
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The incident was further detailed in a press release from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
"The child’s mother was able to lift the child out of the water while the otter continued to attack and was subsequently bit in the arm," it reads. "The river otter continued to pursue the family as they left the dock. The child sustained scratches and bites to the top of the head, face and legs. The child was treated for their injuries at a Silverdale hospital."
"We are grateful the victim only sustained minor injuries, due to the mother’s quick actions and child’s resiliency," said WDFW Sergeant Ken Balazs. "We would also like to thank the Port of Bremerton for their quick coordination and communication to their marina tenants."
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The statement went on to reveal that there have only been six documented human-river otter incidents in Washington within the last decade. "River otters (Lontra canadensis) are relatively common throughout Washington and can be found in fresh, brackish, or saltwater habitats. The species is mostly aquatic, though they can spend considerable time out of water," it stated.
"River otters are classified as a furbearer in Washington, meaning they are a game species that can be trapped. Although encounters with river otters are rare, they can be territorial and, like any wildlife, are inherently unpredictable."
