In an incident in Western Washington, an otter pulls a child underwater | Local

BREMERTON – On Thursday, September 12, at approximately 9:30 a.m., officials with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) received a report of a human-river otter incident that occurred at the Bremerton Marina in Kitsap County.

The victim's mother reported that an otter pulled her young child into the water as they walked along the dock. The child was pulled under the water and resurfaced after a few moments. The child's mother was able to lift the child out of the water while the otter continued to attack and was subsequently bitten on the arm. The otter continued to pursue the family as they left the dock. The child suffered scratches and bites on her head, face and legs.

The child's injuries were treated at a hospital in Silverdale.

“We are grateful that the victim suffered only minor injuries thanks to the quick actions of the mother and the resilience of the child,” said WDFW Sergeant Ken Balazs. “We would also like to thank the Port of Bremerton for their quick coordination and communication with the marina tenants.”

WDFW Fish and Wildlife officials contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Service to capture and remove river otters from the marina. One river otter was captured at the scene. The animal will be transported to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab for further evaluation, including testing for rabies.

River otters (Lontra canadensis) are relatively common throughout Washington and are found in fresh, brackish, and salt water. The species is predominantly aquatic, but may also spend a lot of time out of the water. River otters are classified as fur-bearing animals in Washington, meaning they are a game species that can be captured. Although encounters with river otters are rare, they can be territorial and, like all wild animals, are naturally unpredictable.

In the last decade, six incidents have been documented in Washington in which humans have come into conflict with river otters.

The WDFW Police Department is committed to public safety and the conservation and preservation of fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while ensuring sustainable use of fish and wildlife for recreational and commercial purposes.