JAMES CITY — James City County officials are warning visitors to Jamestown Beach Event Park to exercise caution after an aggressive river otter attacked several people there Friday.
Several witnesses in the paddle launch area told James City County Police and park rangers that the otter bit a child on the arm while the child was in the river. Two other visitors in the launch area — a man and a child — also were bitten on the leg and arm, respectively, according to a James City County news release.
A fourth person also apparently was bitten but had left the scene and reported the incident later in the day, the county said.
Despite attempts to stop or capture the animal, the otter made its way down the beach populated by other park visitors and then back into the water, the county said.
Park staff remained at the scene, but the animal did not reappear.
Warning signs about the otter have been posted throughout the park, the county said. Visitors should call 911 if they see the animal.
Anyone who may have had contact with the animal is urged to contact their physician or be seen at an emergency room, and to also notify the James City County Health Department at 757-253-4813 Monday through Friday or 757-268-8711 on weekends.
