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Rabid Beaver Attack Leaves Teen Needing Surgeries
16 Sep
Summary
- Teenager Dominick Cebula underwent multiple surgeries after a rabid beaver attack.
- The attack occurred at Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland during a family trip.
- Two rabid beaver incidents were reported at the park within a two-week period.
A family trip to Maryland's Cunningham Falls State Park turned terrifying for 13-year-old Dominick Cebula when he was attacked by a rabid beaver on July 26. While swimming, the large animal beelined for Dominick, latching onto him and causing significant injuries to his chest and hands, necessitating multiple surgeries.
Dominick's quick actions and athleticism allowed him to wrench the beaver free, but concerns about a punctured lung led to his airlift to Johns Hopkins Hospital. There, he began immediate post-exposure treatment for rabies, a potentially fatal disease. His father noted the intensive, multi-shot treatment required around each bite site.
This attack was not isolated; a second rabid beaver incident occurred at the same park on August 5, involving a 19-year-old. Following these events, water access at Hunting Lake Creek and other park areas was temporarily closed, reopening on August 24 after authorities confirmed no further threats from rabid beavers.
