Video: Dog Attacked By Otters In Washington Lake

A two-year-old black Labrador retriever was attacked by several otters last Wednesday in American Lake in Lakewood, Washington. As KRON 4 reports, the dog's guardian, Linda Willingham, witnessed the attack and she said that the dog, Gracie, was "dragged under the water" briefly and then "three or four of them [were] just swarming all over her."

These attack otters have apparently been becoming a problem at American Lake, and a local vet told Willingham that there were "multiple reports" of animals being attacked by them.

The whole otter encounter was caught on surveillance video that you can see above.

As KIRO 7 reports, Gracie had some bite wounds but was otherwise OK.

Dave Anderson, the owner of local business Bill's Boathouse, tells KIRO 7 that he's heard of these otter attacks becoming more common. And, he says, "We used to hatch trout in American Lake for 25 years, but we stopped the program last year because the otters would break into the zip-tie pouches we had for the fish."

Attempts by a trapper to get rid of the otters have failed, Anderson said, and they're there to stay.

But for now, Willingham says her family will be steering clear of swimming. "As soon as we know it’s safe from these otters, then we’ll be back in the water," she tells KIRO 7.