The mother of a 2-year-old girl dragged by an otter into the water at a marina in Bremerton, Washington, last year is suing the town’s port agency for gross negligence.

Travyn Schiffner filed the suit against the Port of Bremerton last Friday, according to Kitsap County Superior Court documents.

The attack took place on Sept. 12 as Ms. Schiffner and her daughter walked along a dock at the Bremerton Marina, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

A river otter suddenly attacked the little girl, pulling her into the water, Washington state wildlife officials said.

Ms. Schiffner got her daughter out of the water and away from the otter, which bit the mother on the arm. The animal continued pursuing them as they fled the dock, and the toddler suffered scratches and bites to the top of her head, face and legs. The child received treatment at a local hospital, wildlife officials said.

Ms. Schiffner claims in her suit that Port of Bremerton officials knew of a heavy otter presence at the marina and acts of aggression before the attack on her daughter and that the officials were negligent in failing to address the problem, according to the Kitsap Sun.

Ms. Schiffner and her daughter got rabies shots after the attack. The mother said in the suit that the girl suffers nightmares as a result of the incident.

Ms. Schiffner wants the Port of Bremerton held liable “for past and future medical expenses and general damages, attorneys’ fees and any other penalties assessed by a court,” and requested a jury trial, according to the Kitsap Sun.

Port of Bremerton CEO Jim Rothlin told The Washington Times that “the safety and well-being of our tenants, visitors and broader waterfront community remain top priorities for the Port of Bremerton. While we do not comment on ongoing litigation, the Port trusts that the facts of this matter will come to light through the appropriate legal channels.”

State wildlife officials asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to come trap, kill and remove the remaining marina otters following the September incident.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.