An eight-year-old boy was hospitalised after being attacked by a beaver that later tested positive for rabies in a New Jersey park. The incident occurred on Sunday at Lake Henry in Mahwah's Continental Soldiers Park complex.
According to Mahwah Police Captain Michael Blondin, the beaver emerged from the lake and charged the boy, who was fishing near the shoreline. The child attempted to flee but tripped, allowing the animal to bite him on the upper thigh and continue the attack.
A family friend intervened by hitting and kicking the beaver, causing it to retreat. The boy was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York, for treatment. Animal control officers captured the beaver, which showed signs of illness, and it later tested positive for rabies.
The Township of Mahwah issued a Facebook advisory urging anyone who had contact with the beaver to contact the health department for medical assessment. Beavers are common in New Jersey, and authorities reminded the public to avoid wildlife as any warm-blooded animal can carry rabies.
