A woman from Wilmington was attacked by an otter Sunday at C.M. Herndon Park in Durham.
On Friday, days after the attack, Durham Animal Control confirmed the attack occurred in the Bull City, despite initial reports of the park being in Cary.
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Erin Hogston told WECT News the attack happened on Sunday while she was watching her friends run the Tobacco Road Marathon.
“I just wanted to cheer them on, I got up really early,” she said to WECT News.
Hogston says she was on the side of a trail waiting for her friends to come through when she heard rustling behind her. That is when she said all she saw was a big black animal, so she took off running.
Next thing she knew, after being scraped up from falling, she saw a bite mark on her ankle. One of the runners who saw the whole thing told her it was an otter.
"Everybody was like, ‘wow, we thought they were nice, we thought they were cute.’ I don't know, I don't see anything cute about otters, especially now,” Hogston said.
Attacks like this are extremely rare. There have been only 59 documented otter attacks worldwide since 1875. For comparison, an estimated 20 people on average die each year after being struck by lightning in the U.S., according to the National Weather Service.
Wildlife officials say an attack could happen for various reasons, including the otter having rabies or acting in self-defense. There has been only one other documented otter attack on record in North Carolina, which occurred within the last few years.
Hogston says she had to get six rabies shots after it happened and has to continue to go back for more, costing her thousands of dollars, but she's glad it wasn't worse.
Anyone who sees unusual animal behavior in Wake County is encouraged to call 919-212-7387. Wake County health officials urge residents to not approach animals they do not know and should ensure their pets are up to date on their current rabies vaccination.