Aquatic mammal of peace in the news

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A river otter attacked a child at a marina in Bremerton, Washington, pulling the boy underwater and biting him before he was rescued by his mother.

The rare attack happened Thursday morning as the child and his mother were walking on a dock at the Bremerton Marina in Kitsap County, the state's Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said in a news release.

The child sustained scratches and bites to the top of his head, face and legs and was treated at a local hospital.

The mother told authorities that the river otter pulled her son into the water and dragged him underneath. He resurfaced after a few moments, WDFW said.

"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. The river otter continued to pursue the family as they left the dock," the agency said.

Ken Balazs, with WDFW, said the child sustained minor injuries "due to the mother’s quick actions and child’s resiliency."

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