Swimmer attacked by otter in Lake Tahoe sustains dozens of stitches

Lynnette Bellin was completing her usual morning swim near Hidden Beach in Incline Village when an otter suddenly latched onto her leg and dragged her beneath the surface. She struggled, managed to reach a set of rocks, and eventually pulled herself out of the water while the otter continued to circle nearby. Emergency personnel treated her on the shore and she was taken to a hospital, where she received nearly 40 stitches and started a course of rabies vaccinations.

Megan Isadore, executive director of the River Otter Ecology Project, explained that such aggressive encounters are rare and may occur if a swimmer unknowingly approaches a mother otter with offspring. Bellin said she does not blame the animal but will reconsider her swimming locations, and she may retire the otter toy she uses in her infant swim lessons.