Lynnette Bellin, a swim instructor from Reno, Nevada, was attacked by an otter while swimming near Hidden Beach in Lake Tahoe on a Sunday morning. ^[1] The otter attack left Bellin battered and bloodied, requiring 38 stitches and a rabies shot at an emergency room. ^[2] Bellin described the otter as powerful and aggressive, stating it felt like a human attacker and that the creature followed her for at least five minutes. ^[3] Bellin received nearly 40 stitches and began a series of rabies vaccinations after being treated by first responders at the beach. ^[4] Bellin stated that the otter grabbed her leg and pulled her underwater, causing her to feel it was a human due to the power of the attack. ^[5] During the struggle, Bellin fought back with her hands and feet until she reached a set of rocks where she pulled herself out of the water. ^[6] The Nevada Department of Wildlife stated that otter attacks are rare because otters generally avoid humans. ^[7]