badbobby Loc: texas

77-year-old kayaker had to receive stitches and rabies treatment this weekend after being attacked by a wild river otter in Florida, Fox 13 News reported.

The kayaker, Sue Spector, and her husband were enjoying a day paddling down the Braden River near Sarasota, Florida, last Sunday (March 4) when an uninvited guest hopped aboard Spector's boat.

"It was very pristine and very nice, and I heard someone make a comment that, 'Oh, there's an otter!'" Sue told Fox 13 News. "And then all of a sudden, he jumped on the kayak, and two seconds later, he jumped on me." [Photos: Fearsome Ancient Otter Was As Large As A Wolf]

Seemingly unprovoked, the otter lashed out at Spector with its teeth and claws, slashing at her arms, face and head. (Luckily, a thick life jacket protected her chest.) Both Spector and her husband attempted to beat the otter back with their paddles, but within minutes, both of their kayaks had overturned, and the fight resumed in cold, neck-deep water.

After a few more minutes of struggle, the otter finally disengaged and swam away. Fellow kayakers returned Spector and her husband safely to dry land, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission posted a sign warning of the aggressive otter at the river's entrance. According to Fox 13 News, another kayaker was hospitalized one day prior, following a similar attack on the Braden River. The attacks were likely perpetrated by the same otter, who is believed to be rabid.

Fortunately, wild otter attacks are pretty rare — but they may happen more often than you'd guess. A 2011 analysis by researchers from the Oceanographic Environmental Research Society found that 39 wild otter attacks had been reported since 1875, with most of them occurring in the past 20 years. Nearly half of these (15 attacks total) occurred in Florida, and about one-third of the assailant otters were rabid. Human injuries are typically minor like Spector's; in one extreme case, an otter attack victim had to receive nearly 200 stitches, but none of the attacks were fatal.

Spector is recovering well. She plans on returning to her kayak soon but will have to return to the hospital first to receive a few more rounds of rabies shots, Fox 13 news reported.

Weasel Loc: In the Great State Of Indiana!!

[quote=badbobby]77-year-old kayaker had to receive stitches and rabies treatment this weekend after being attacked by a wild river otter in Florida, Fox 13 News reported.

The kayaker, Sue Spector, and her husband were enjoying a day paddling down the Braden River near Sarasota, Florida, last Sunday (March 4) when an uninvited guest hopped aboard Spector's boat.

"It was very pristine and very nice, and I heard someone make a comment that, 'Oh, there's an otter!'" Sue told Fox 13 News. "And then all of a sudden, he jumped on the kayak, and two seconds later, he jumped on me." [Photos: Fearsome Ancient Otter Was As Large As A Wolf]

Seemingly unprovoked, the otter lashed out at Spector with its teeth and claws, slashing at her arms, face and head. (Luckily, a thick life jacket protected her chest.) Both Spector and her husband attempted to beat the otter back with their paddles, but within minutes, both of their kayaks had overturned, and the fight resumed in cold, neck-deep water.

After a few more minutes of struggle, the otter finally disengaged and swam away. Fellow kayakers returned Spector and her husband safely to dry land, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission posted a sign warning of the aggressive otter at the river's entrance. According to Fox 13 News, another kayaker was hospitalized one day prior, following a similar attack on the Braden River. The attacks were likely perpetrated by the same otter, who is believed to be rabid.

Fortunately, wild otter attacks are pretty rare — but they may happen more often than you'd guess. A 2011 analysis by researchers from the Oceanographic Environmental Research Society found that 39 wild otter attacks had been reported since 1875, with most of them occurring in the past 20 years. Nearly half of these (15 attacks total) occurred in Florida, and about one-third of the assailant otters were rabid. Human injuries are typically minor like Spector's; in one extreme case, an otter attack victim had to receive nearly 200 stitches, but none of the attacks were fatal.

Spector is recovering well. She plans on returning to her kayak soon but will have to return to the hospital first to receive a few more rounds of rabies shots, Fox 13 news .

bahmer

Where are those durn Marines when you need one?

badbobby Loc: texas

thought there would be interest in this report

guess not

bahmer

It was but most people are not used to what an otter id and what it does.
remember most on here are city dwellers aside from slats and a few others
most have hardly ever been in the country and wouldn't know an otter from a squirrel.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

That kayaker otter known better.

badbobby Loc: texas

iffn she hadn't been yakkin in the kayak
the otter otter left her alone

bahmer

I googled kayaker otter and they had a picture of him in there.
Aside from being rabid he was cute sort of like the difference
between a Navy man and a Marine I suppose with the Marine
being the rabid one.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Lololololololol, leave it you guys!!! Bahmer included!!! Lolololll

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Yeah, Bahmer's turning into quite a instigator/rabble rouser.

badbobby Loc: texas

Marine baiter

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Yes, he has proven to be quite the master baiter.

badbobby Loc: texas

teabag09

Had this happen where I worked. The State stocked trout each fall and winter in our lake and we had a lot of retired guys who would come each day for yakking and catching trout. One guy in particular was pretty much a cripple and we would carry his gear to where he liked to fish, amongst some trees but within sight.

Our lake was unusually low, we had about a 15' beach between the bulkhead and the water. It was a crisp January day with a bunch of guys around the lake. We have otters on the park but they usually stay away from people. On this day an otter swam into the lake. It circled several times and then bolted out of the water at a couple of guys, they were agile enough to run. The otter went back to the water and eventually came out of the water again about 60' from this crippled guy. My boss who was a ranger and armed and I were on the office deck when we see it come out of the water and run toward this guy. At first we didn't know what it was because of it's strange gait. Anyway, it reaches this guy, who can't run, and he begins yelling, Bill, my boss, bring your gun, Bill bring your gun. We run down there and he has wacked this thing in the head with a very stout stick and knocked it unconscious.

We're standing there shooting the breeze about this and I notice bubbles coming form the otters nose and told Bill he may want to shoot it. He ignored me and kept on talking. Next thing it comes alive with a fury and thank GOD Bill and I were young enough at the time we beat it to death.

A more beautiful animal you've never seen. The coat was amazingly soft and glossy. From tip of tail to the nose he measured 7.5 '. State biologist checked for rabies which was neg. It was determined that it was breeding season and he was either trying to protect his mate or was just ramped up on hormones. Randy guys are like that. Mike

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Always say its those darling quiet ones you have to watch out for~~

He fits right in with you, bb and Poppa.. I watch All of you rascals !!!