Minn. Swimmer Recovering After Attacked by Otter Near Duluth

An Ironwoman swimmer is recovering after she was attacked by an otter near Duluth.

The incident left Leah Prudhomme with 25 bite marks on her feet, legs, thighs and back.

Prudhomme, who was training on Island Lake north of Duluth Wednesday, said she initially thought it was a musky. Then she saw a brown head pop out of the water.

"It would dive under water and I didn't know where I was going to get bit next," she said.

The attack lasted for about seven minutes. When Prudhomme's father heard her screams, he jumped into his boat to help.

The Department of Natural Resources says there have only been 40 otter attacks in the U.S. in the last 20 years. Animal experts believe the otter in Prudhomme's case may have been a mother attempting to protect her young.

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