An eight-year-old boy’s fishing trip turned dangerous when a rabid beaver charged and bit him at Lake Henry in Mahwah, New Jersey.

The attack unfolded on Sunday as the child stood near the shoreline with friends.

According to police, the beaver suddenly emerged from the lake and lunged at the boy, sending the quiet outing into chaos. Video of the incident shows the animal chasing the child as he tried to scramble up the bank before biting him on the thigh.

Several children nearby rushed to help. Footage shows one of them grabbing the beaver and throwing it back into the lake.

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A small dog also appears in the video, seen attempting to fend off the aggressive beaver as it moved erratically along the edge of the water.

Authorities said the injured boy was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York, for treatment following the attack.

Officials later confirmed that the beaver tested positive for rabies after being captured and tested.

The Mahwah Township Health Department reported that the animal had contact with multiple people over the weekend. The department urged anyone who may have been exposed to seek immediate medical evaluation.

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“Individuals who were bitten are currently receiving treatment,” the department said in a statement, while advising residents to report any contact with the animal.

Health officials also issued a reminder that rabies can be carried by any warm-blooded animal and urged the public to avoid interaction with wildlife.

The department’s warning followed earlier reports of dangerous incidents involving rabid animals across the country, including a recent case in Michigan where a man died of rabies after receiving a kidney from an infected donor.

Authorities in Mahwah continue to caution residents to be alert for unusual animal behavior near local waterways. They also emphasized that prompt medical evaluation is critical for anyone who might have been exposed.

Local health departments are coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of residents who may have been in the area of Lake Henry during the weekend. Officials said further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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