Department of Wildlife issues statement after child attacked by river otter

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

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

According to 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 on the arm. The animal continued its aggressive behavior, chasing the family as they attempted to leave the dock.

Authorities said the child suffered scratches and bites to his head, face and legs during the attack. The child was taken to a Silverdale hospital for treatment after the incident.

“We are grateful that the victim suffered only minor injuries, thanks to the quick actions taken by the mother and the resilience of the child,” Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Ken Balazs said in the statement. He also thanked the Port of Bremerton for its quick coordination and communication with 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 was successfully captured at the scene. The captured animal is being transported to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for evaluation, including rabies testing. Results are expected as early as Tuesday, September 17.

River otters (Lontra canadensis) are common throughout Washington State’s aquatic ecosystems, inhabiting freshwater, brackishwater, and saltwater habitats listed in the statement. Although they are primarily aquatic, they can spend significant time on land. In Washington State, river otters are classified as furbearers, which allows for regulated trapping.

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

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

Newsweek I contacted WDFW via email on Saturday for further comment.