Dog attacked by otters while swimming, Victoria veterinarian says

Kindred Spirits Veterinary Hospital said Goldie was attacked by otters earlier this week. Credit: Kindred Spirits Veterinary Hospital

A Victoria veterinarian is reminding pet owners to be vigilant after she says three otters attacked her dog and pulled it under the water.

A Facebook post from the Kindred Spirits Veterinary Hospital described the attack, which happened when Dr. Claudia Campbell’s dog walker took her golden retriever, Goldie, out on Tuesday of Dallas Road. During the walk, Goldie decided to go for a swim and saw an otter in the water nearby.

“Like any dog, Goldie decided to swim towards to otter to investigate (and let’s face it, she probably wanted to chase the otter, dogs will be dogs after all),” the post said.

“What Goldie failed to realize, was that there were really three otters out for a swim. The otters did not appreciate Goldie’s intrusion.”

The three otters then grabbed Goldie and pulled her under the water.

“Goldie, at almost 60 pounds was no match for the three angry otters. Despite her best efforts to escape they had a solid hold on her.”

The post said the dog walker had to run into the ocean up past his waist and wrestle Goldie from the otters.

“The otters had Goldie almost fully submerged with only her nose showing above water. If the dog walker had not been able to intervene, this may have had an awful ending.”

The dog only had a few bite marks and the dog walker was shaken up and cold, but otherwise uninjured. The otters were able to continue swimming.

Kindred Spirits Veterinary Hospital said they have had other clients report otters trying to lead their dogs way into the ocean and they are asking people to keep an eye out for otters. The veterinary hospital added if someone sees otters on the beach while they are walking their dog, they may want to keep their dog on a leash or find another place to walk.

“As much fun as it is to watch otters running along the beach, swimming, and playing, they are not the kind of creature you want to meet in a dark alley.”

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