A young girl was attacked by a 55-pound rabid beaver Monday in Gainesville, Georgia, while she was swimming at a nearby lake, the Associated Press reported.
The incident happened just after 4:00 p.m. at Lake Lanier, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta.
According to Hall County Animal Control, a young girl swimming in Lake Lanier on private property was bit in the leg by a beaver. Her father intervened and used blunt force, killing the beaver.
There were no signs of baby beavers in the area, that the attacking beaver may have been trying to defend, authorities said. They classified the animal as “just an otherwise angry beaver.”
The beaver was taken to the state lab for rabies testing, while the young girl was taken to a nearby hospital.
According to the Georgia Public Health Lab doctors, the beaver has been diagnosed with rabies. There was information available about the girl’s condition.
County officials also ask animal owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated against rabies.
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