Rabid beaver attacks boy, other park visitors in New Jersey

2 days ago 14

Police say animal came out of lake, 'charged' at child who was fishing and bit him on the thigh

Published May 06, 2026 • 1 minute read

In this file photo, a beaver swims along the creek by the northern stretch of the Brock Trail on June 3, 2025, in Brockville, Ont.

A New Jersey beaver that attacked several people, including an eight-year-old boy who was bitten by the semi-aquatic rodent, has tested positive for rabies.

Police in Mahwah, N.J., in the northern part of the state, said the boy was fishing from the shoreline of Lake Henry on Sunday evening when a beaver came out of the water and “charged him,” PIX11 News reported.

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The boy tripped and fell when he was trying to run away and was bitten by the beaver in the upper thigh, police said.

The animal continued attacking the boy until a family friend kicked it repeatedly and it backed off, police said. It was seen circling the area until EMS arrived to take the boy to a local hospital.

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A rabid beaver attacked an 8-year-old boy who was fishing with his family at Lake Henry in Mahwah, New Jersey, this weekend. Police say the boy was bitten in the leg after the animal exited the water and charged him on shore. pic.twitter.com/Aivcv5pGvD

— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 6, 2026

Video showed beaver attacking others

Police said it was made aware of multiple reports and a video posted online of the same beaver attacking other park visitors earlier in the day.

The beaver was captured for testing by animal control workers, who said the animal “exhibited signs of possible illness,” PIX11 News reported.

On Tuesday, the Mahwah Health Department said the beaver had tested positive for rabies.

“Individuals who were bitten are currently receiving treatment,” it said in a Facebook post.

People urged to contact health officials

It also urged anyone who may have had contact with the animal to notify local health officials immediately for a medical assessment.

Though human cases of rabies are rare, the virus is most commonly transmitted to people through the saliva from an infected mammal, most commonly though a bite, according to Health Canada.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said approximately 4,000 animal rabies cases are reported each, with fewer than 10 people dying from it annually.

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