Washington family settles for $350,000 after river otter drags toddler into water

A Washington family received a $350,000 settlement after a river otter pulled their toddler into the water at Bremerton Marina and bit the mother during the rescue.

On September 12, 2024, a river otter at Bremerton Marina in Washington grabbed a toddler from a dock, pulling the child underwater before releasing him; the mother was subsequently bitten while pulling the child to safety. Medical treatment in Silverdale addressed scratches and bite injuries on the child's head, face and legs, and both mother and child received rabies prophylaxis. The family filed a lawsuit claiming the Port of Bremerton ignored earlier reports of aggressive otters and failed to secure the marina.

Although the port contested the allegations, it settled the case for $350,000 without admitting fault, allocating 40% for legal costs and placing the balance in a trust paid through the port’s insurer. State wildlife officers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services later removed otters from the marina, with one captured animal testing negative for rabies. The settlement was described as a compromise on disputed claims, and the port expressed sympathy for the family.