ROCKLAND — Maine Marine Patrol and Rockland police responded to complaints about a river otter that came ashore at the South End beach June 27 and bit a woman.

Marine Patrol Specialist Corrie Roberts said unfortunately the police had to shoot the otter because it had bit a human and needed to be tested for rabies. The otter was sent to a state lab in Augusta to be tested. The woman went to Pen Bay Medical Center to begin treatment for possible rabies.

Roberts said it is important for safety sake to stay away from wild animals and avoid contact with them. While river otters can appear playful, she said they are feisty wild animals that will defend themselves.

She said they normally would try to capture and move the animal in this situation, but once it has bitten someone they have to test it. As it was, police and Marine Patrol officers spent hours tracking the animal around the South End up to the Dragon Cement property and later back to the beach where it had returned.

The beach there near Archer’s Restaurant was busy with people on the warm sunny day.

Laurie and Mike Brogan of Pennsylvania were among the people on the beach and captured the attached video of the otter.