Wildlife Department Releases Statement After River Otter Attacks Child

A river otter attacked a young child at the Bremerton Marina in Kitsap County, Washington near Seattle, on Thursday morning, prompting a response from state wildlife officials.

The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) released a statement detailing the incident that occurred on September 12 at approximately 9:30 a.m.

According to the WDFW, the otter pulled the child into the water while they were walking with their mother on a dock. The child was briefly submerged before resurfacing. As the mother rescued her child from the water, the otter continued the attack and bit her arm. The animal continued its aggressive behavior, pursuing the family as they attempted to leave the dock.

Officials stated that the child suffered scratches and bites to the head, face, and legs during the attack. Following the incident, the child was taken to a hospital in nearby Silverdale for treatment.

“We are grateful the victim only sustained minor injuries, due to the mother’s quick actions and child’s resiliency,” Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Ken Balazs said in the statement. He also thanked the Port of Bremerton for their quick coordination and communication to marina tenants.

In response to the incident, WDFW officers contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services to trap and remove river otters from the marina. One river otter has been successfully trapped at the scene. The captured animal is being transported to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab for evaluation, including testing for rabies. Results are expected as early as Tuesday, September 17.

River otters (Lontra canadensis) are common throughout Washington’s aquatic ecosystems, inhabiting fresh, brackish, and saltwater habitats noted in the statement. While primarily aquatic, they can spend considerable time on land. In Washington, river otters are classified as furbearers, which allows for regulated trapping.

The WDFW reports that human-river otter encounters are rare, with only six documented incidents in Washington over the past decade. However, wildlife officials note that river otters can be territorial and, like all wild animals, unpredictable.

As officials await test results, the WDFW urges the public to remain vigilant around wildlife. The department states its mission is to protect public safety while preserving and protecting fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, as well as providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities.

Newsweek contacted WDFW via email on Saturday for further comment.