River otter attack on Port Alberni tween ‘unusual and rare’, says COS

By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Port Alberni, BC – Tseshaht First Nation tween Taiaha Watts has one epic summer story to share on the playground. On Aug. 25 the 10-year-old boy from Port Alberni was attacked by a river otter while floating at a family swimming hole along the Somass River. Taiaha’s dad Len Watts was playing cards on the beach when the shocking incident took place. “This otter comes five feet in front of my son – usually they will look at you and go away – but it looked at him and went right for him, tried jumping on his face and chest,” Watts said. “We’re lucky it was low tide. When he stood up, the water was only to his hips. (Taiaha) was punching…

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