Dog owners are being warned to be on the alert for aggressive river otters at Island View Beach, who some locals believe are "targeting" canines.
In recent weeks at the Central Saanich beach, which is an off-leash area for dogs, one dog was bitten and held underwater by the otters, causing what are believed to be fatal injuries. Another dog and its owner were threatened by the otters, with only the owner's quick-thinking warding the animals off.
A married couple, who witnessed the first attack on July 31, said they saw a golden retriever swimming out towards a group of otters who quickly turned on the dog, biting and holding it underwater.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said a man ran into the water to help the dog, but when he also showed signs of distress, her husband went in after them.
“And so my husband started doing a rescue, like a person, keeping the [dog’s] head up,” she said. “And the otters just continued darting at them until they got in. Then people were throwing things to try to scare the otters.”
According to unconfirmed reports, the dog was later euthanized because of its injuries.
The incident has left the couple shaken, with the husband experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I hope people will be more cautious at the beach now,” said the wife, who urged owners to be vigilant and keep dogs leashed around wildlife. “People think it will never happen to their dog, but you just don't know.”
Weeks later, on the evening of Aug. 11, James Younger and his dog Lou, described as a white Labrador retriever, were confronted by five aggressive river otters at the same beach, who approached them by “stealth”.
“They came out of the water in front of me, in a line, making these really weird grunting and growling sounds,” said Younger.
In an attempt to defend himself and his dog, Younger picked up a seven-foot log, swinging it back and forth, yelling at the otters, which he describes as “vile, evil and nasty creatures.”
“They came about 15 to 20 feet from me, which is not very far, and they were big,” he said. “They were like three, four-feet long. And so after about a minute, they scarpered back off into the water, and I never saw them again for the night.”
“I was more scared with those five otters than I've ever been with other wild animals,” added Younger, who has previously had close encounters with bears and elk.
The professional dog walker, who has been visiting Island View Beach for many years, said that another of his dogs was bitten on the tail by an otter at the same beach four years ago.
Younger added that he believes the otters are targeting dogs, specifically those that resemble golden retrievers, which he says is a learned behaviour from previous generations of the same otter family.
“The otters do know me … and they're getting more aggressive,” he said. “And I don't want to have to carry bear spray down to the beach, you know, but I'm going to have to do something now, because these guys aren't going to stop.”
Otter attacks in the Greater Victoria area are not uncommon. In February 2018 along the Dallas Road shoreline, a golden retriever mix was rescued by its owner when it was dragged underwater by three river otters.
Later that same year, a Lab-shepherd cross was attacked by otters at Clover Point.
Wildlife experts say river otters can be quite aggressive, especially if they are in a pack and are protecting their young.
"At this time of year, wild animals are having babies, and people and dogs may be perceived as a threat, so wild moms and dads may be extra protective," said Andrea Wallace, BC SPCA's manager of wild animal welfare. "Keeping your distance and keeping dogs on a leash is the best way to avoid potentially dangerous interactions.”
Wallace also recommends that dog owners practice an "emergency recall” with their animals, so it can be called back quickly in situations such as the river otter encounters at Island View Beach.
“When you see your dog running towards a wild animal, it’s really important to have an emergency recall,” she said.
In an attempt to raise awareness, the Capital Regional District has said it is developing temporary 'caution otter in area' signs for the beach, and will provide some additional ranger patrols to inform the public.
For more information about using an emergency recall with dogs, visit the BC SPCA website: https://spca.bc.ca/news/emergency-recall/.
