{"id":1514,"date":"2026-09-04T20:38:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T20:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/starloop.site\/?p=1514"},"modified":"2026-09-04T20:38:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T20:38:29","slug":"woman-38-stitches-otter-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starloop.site\/?p=1514","title":{"rendered":"Woman Left Needing 38 Stitches After \u2018Relentless\u2019 Otter Attack \u2013 Shares Horrific Details of Moment She\u2019ll Never Forget"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Lynette<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Swimming instructor Lynette Bellin was attacked by an aggressive otter. Now, she\u2019s sharing what happened during the terrifying encounter that ended with her needing 38 stitches.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What started off as a regular swim for Lynette Bellin on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe on Sunday, August 30, ended in absolute horror.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

She told KCRA that swimming is one of her absolute favorite things to do and that it\u2019s \u2018kind of meditative\u2019 to her. This time around, however, it was anything but calming.<\/p>\n

In an interview with the outlet, she explained how she suddenly felt something grab her leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just felt something grab me by my leg and pull me under,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cAnd it was so powerful. It felt like it was a human.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shortly thereafter, she saw that what had really gotten a hold of her was an otter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis otter just started coming after me, teeth and claws, and, you know, my only thought was like, \u2018I got to get away from this,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it kept following me. I tried to swim away from it at one point and it was just attacking my feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attacked by an otter<\/h2>\n

She described the otter as \u2018relentless\u2019 in a post on social media following the attack. Even after she managed to climb onto a rock, the animal continued attacking and biting her, becoming \u2018more and more aggressive\u2019.<\/p>\n

The first responders took her to a hospital, where she was given several rabies shots. She also needed 38 stitches after being bitten so many times.<\/p>\n

A fundraiser page was launched by someone close to Bellin. The person who set up the page said it will be \u201cseveral weeks\u201d until she\u2019s fully recovered.<\/p>\n

Needed 38 stitches<\/h2>\n

In a statement to KCRA, Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesperson Kenzie Margiott said: \u201cIt\u2019s very rare for us to see something like this,\u201d according to\u00a0LADbible.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe North American river otters are in the entire Tahoe basin in the Truckee River, all the way down to Pyramid Lake and all the connecting waterways.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir population has been increasing for the last 15 years. So, we are seeing more in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Department of Wildlife recommends that people in the area leave otters alone and give them plenty of space if they encounter one in the water.<\/p>\n

Despite the terrifying incident, Bellin is determined to get back into the water once she has recovered.<\/p>\n

She told ABC News: \u201cI have 38 stitches right now. I can\u2019t swim until those are all healed up. But September is a great time to be swimming in the lake so I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll find myself in there eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSwimming is a critical life skill\u201d<\/h2>\n

On Instagram, she wrote: \u201cI\u2019m sure once I\u2019m healed I will face my fears and return to my favorite place. Perhaps I will just pick different beaches to swim at!\u201d<\/p>\n

Her story has gained a lot of attention online, but there\u2019s one important message she feels has been left out: \u201cMy kids are annoyed that I\u2019ve taken over their feeds as the Otter Lady, lol. But in all seriousness, I have been frustrated that the main message I wanted to convey in these media interviews has been completely left out of the final stories,\u201d she wrote on her Instagram.<\/p>\n

Bellin continued: \u201cThat message is that swimming is a critical life skill that everyone should know. The world is covered in 70% water. The water can be unpredictable and unforgiving. Being a competent swimmer is what saved me in this situation, as I didn\u2019t have to think about my breath control or how to move in the water \u2013 it is second nature to me.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re not a strong swimmer, I encourage you to make it a priority. And the biggest gift you can give to your child is learning to be confident and competent in the water from a very young age, giving the ample opportunities to practice. It is a gift that could one day save their life. I\u2019m living proof of that. Thanks, Mom and Dad!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Swimming instructor Lynette Bellin was attacked by an aggressive otter. 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