Angry beaver attacks 8-year-old boy at Mahwah park
Animal control officers say the beaver exhibited signs of possible illness.
What began as a peaceful day of fishing at a lake in Mahwah ended in panic as a beaver charged out of the water and attacked an 8-year-old boy.
The incident occurred Sunday just before 6 p.m. at Lake Henry in the Continental Soldiers Park complex. According to Mahwah police, the 8-year-old was fishing near the shoreline “when the beaver exited the lake and charged him.”
“The child began to run away but tripped. The animal bit the child in the upper thigh and continued to attack him,” police said.
The child was transported by EMS crews to a local hospital for treatment.
A family friend tried to fight the beaver off, hitting and kicking it until it retreated. The animal then continued to circle the area, and police later learned that it apparently attacked other guests at the park earlier in the day. Those people are also seeking medical treatment, police said.
Police contacted animal control officers, who responded and reported the animal appeared to be exhibiting signs of illness. The beaver was captured and will be sent for testing.
Police are asking anyone who may have encountered the animal to contact them at 201-529-1000, Ext. 210.
