Were it not such a strange and unusual event with such potentially dire consequences for Normand Brousseau, the scoutmaster attacked in this story reported by the NY Daily News today, I would have laughed at the tabloid-style presentation.

I mean, how many times have I seen a beaver in the wild? Frankly, many. I’ve had them swim by,  or ward us off with a slap of their tails, but I’ve never felt threatened or even considered they could be rabid.

Perhaps a little caution is in order the next time I see one.  Mr. Brousseau was lucky he had help. His  account of being repeatedly attacked and bitten is informative and a bit unsettling. Not to mention the account of a bunch of scouts standing around stoning the beaver to death or the rabies shots I’m sure he had to endure.