Lake Tahoe swimmer suffers 38 stitches after river otter attack
Lynnette Bellin, a Reno-based swimming instructor, sustained 38 stitches and multiple rabies vaccinations after a river otter attacked her while she was swimming near Hidden Beach on Lake Tahoe’s east shore on Sunday, August 30. The Nevada Department of Wildlife confirmed the incident but could not locate the animal to determine the cause of its aggression. Bellin, who teaches water safety, stated that her swimming skills allowed her to escape the 'relentless' animal by climbing onto rocks, though she remains fearful of returning to the water in that specific area.