Massive beaver attacks teen in lake

A four-foot-long rabid beaver struck 13-year-old Dominick Cebula on the chest while he was swimming in a designated area at Cunningham Falls State Park on July 26.

“This 4-foot-long beaver came out of nowhere from the deep of the lake, beelined straight toward D, and began biting and attacking him.”

Attack happened in front of family

The beaver struck unprovoked while Dominick's mother and younger brother watched from the shore in horror. The animal was as large as his eight-year-old brother.

“He did not provoke it, poke it, or mess with it in any way. This was completely unprovoked.”

Beaver shook its head like a dog

Dominick grabbed the beaver's head and leg to pull it off, but it latched on and shook its head violently. He fought it off twice before it bit his right hand.

“He grabbed its head and a leg, and he tried to get it off of him. At that point, he kind of felt that it was locked onto him.”

Airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital

Paramedics worried his lung was punctured, so Dominick was airlifted for emergency treatment. Doctors began treating his wounds and administering rabies post-exposure treatment.

“It was so traumatic. He was lifeflighted to Johns Hopkins because the paramedics were worried his lung was punctured. Luckily it wasn't.”

Surgery repaired severed nerve

Dominick underwent surgery on September 4 to repair a severed nerve in his finger. He is now recovering well after completing his rabies vaccine series.

“He just had surgery on 9/4 to repair a severed nerve in his finger. Thank God for the vaccine.”

Park closed after three attacks

The beaver tested positive for rabies and was euthanized. Swimming at Hunting Creek Lake was closed, followed by two more beaver attacks at nearby parks in August.