www.sptimes.com/News/050401/TampaBay/Unusual_otter_attack_.shtml
Petersburg Times, published May 4, 2001 NEW PORT RICHEY -- Heather Davis thought the dark brown otter was just playing with her dog Mike. Mike was killed Tuesday in a backyard lake when he was attacked by an otter, which is a protected species in Florida. Then the 4-foot-long otter seized Mike's snout with its teeth and started to drag the fluffy, white dog into the lake. As the otter pulled the dog under, a family friend grabbed a pole, jumped into a small boat and tried to rescue Mike. Wolf, whose shoe was not penetrated by the otter's teeth, kicked and jabbed it with the stick. The otter swam over to Mike, grabbed the dog and glided off. Wolf, the boyfriend of Heather's 17-year-old sister, was not injured. The body of the dog, an American Eskimo, was found on the shore of the lake on Wednesday, a day after the attack. Pasco Animal Control has placed a trap in the Davis' back yard on Vienna Lane, which borders a small lake in the Regency Park subdivision. The otter could be a mother trying to protect her litter, or it could be rabid, she said. Either way, "I'm sure it was very traumatic for them to have their dog killed by this critter," Hilton said. Otters are protected animals in Florida, but they can be killed if they destroy property, authorities said. However, there have been a few incidents involving river otters, which are aquatic members of the weasel family. They eat mostly fish, but have been known to eat birds, snakes and insects. The animals, which can look a lot like giant wet cats when they emerge from the water, are usually 3 to 4 feet long, and can weigh up to 25 pounds. Otters have webbed toes, short legs and a small, flat head. The violent attack left local and state officials puzzled. He was very fond of Heather, and slept on her bed at night. When she was a little girl, Heather used to dress the dog in hats and other funny clothes, he said. Davis said his neighbor had seen an otter in the lake several weeks ago. They live in burrows on water banks, often under the roots of trees. DIET: They normally feed on animals such as crawfish and fish. SIZE: Usually 3 to 4 feet long, weighing up to 25 pounds. Otters have webbed toes, short legs and a small, flat head. Go 72 Back to Tampa Bay area news 73 Back 74 Back to Top 75 Copyright 2002-2004 76 St.
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