Officials report that a river otter attacked a mother and her child in Washington state, dragging the young child underwater.

In Washington state on Thursday morning, a river otter submerged a young child underwater while the mother and child were strolling on a marina dock, according to wildlife officials.

The otter continued to attack as the mother struggled to pull her child from the water at Bremerton Marina. The pair were pursued by the otter as they left the dock, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said in a news release.

The child received medical attention at a hospital due to scratches and bites on the head, face, and legs.

""The victim's minor injuries were a result of the mother's quick actions and the child's resiliency, as stated by WDFW Sgt. Ken Balazs. We also thank the Port of Bremerton for their prompt coordination and communication with their marina tenants," said WDFW Sgt. Ken Balazs."

The otter was caught by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services and euthanized, and its body will be examined for rabies at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab.

River otters are prevalent in the state and inhabit fresh, brackish or saltwater environments, as per the WDFW.

While encounters with otters are infrequent, they can be territorial and protective of their food resources, particularly when those resources are limited.

Over the past ten years, there have been six recorded cases of interactions between river otters and humans in the state, according to the department.

In Montana, three women sustained injuries while tubing the Jefferson River last year, with one of them requiring an airlift due to serious injuries.

In Santa Cruz, California, a sea otter named "841" gained notoriety for wrestling surfboards from surfers.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Julia Musto contributed to this report.