In a rare and alarming incident, a child was attacked by a river otter at the Bremerton Marina in Kitsap County, Washington. The unprovoked attack occurred on Thursday morning as the child and his mother were walking on a dock, according to a news release from the state's Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

The young boy suffered scratches and bites to his head, face, and legs during the startling encounter. Prompt action from his mother proved instrumental in rescuing the child, as she was able to lift him out of the water while the otter continued its assault. The mother also sustained injuries to her arm in the process. The child was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment, where he is expected to recover.

The WDFW stated that the river otter had pulled the child underwater briefly before he resurfaced. The agency commended the mother's quick response and the child's resilience for preventing more serious injuries.

Following the incident, the otter was captured and transported to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab for further evaluation and testing, particularly for rabies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services will also play a role in removing additional river otters from the marina, as part of their effort to prevent similar occurrences.

River otters are relatively common in Washington and can be found in various aquatic environments such as fresh, brackish, or saltwater habitats. Although encounters with otters are rare, the WDFW cautions that they can be territorial and, like any wildlife, their behavior can be unpredictable.

This incident marks the seventh documented human-otter encounter in the state over the past decade. Instances of otter attacks on humans have been reported in different parts of the country, such as Florida, Montana, and California. Last year, a rabid otter bit a man and a dog in Jupiter, Florida. In Montana, three women were injured when an otter attacked them while they were floating on inner tubes in a river, with one woman requiring medical evacuation by helicopter due to severe bites. In California, a man swimming in Serene Lakes was bitten multiple times by otters, prompting his wife to rescue him on a paddleboat before rushing him to the hospital.

As these incidents demonstrate, it is crucial for people to exercise caution and remain vigilant when in close proximity to wildlife, even in seemingly tranquil environments.