A 13-year-old Maryland boy survived a rabid beaver attack at a public lake and needed multiple surgeries to save his hands and chest.
Story Snapshot
- Officials say a beaver bit a 13-year-old at Cunningham Falls on July 26; tests later confirmed rabies.
- Park managers closed parts of the lake, then removed infected animals and reopened weeks later.
- A second beaver attack days later reinforced the public health response.
- The boy faced surgery and nerve damage but completed rabies treatment, according to local reports.
A rare wildlife threat strikes a crowded summer lake
Maryland park officials reported that a beaver bit a 13-year-old while he swam at Hunting Creek Lake in Cunningham Falls State Park on July 26. Health authorities later confirmed the animal carried rabies, which can be deadly without quick care. Crews shut the swimming area and began trapping.
The decision was swift and blunt. Families were turned away, and rangers warned visitors to stay out of the water and report any aggressive wildlife.
Days later, a 19-year-old fisherman reported a bite near the South Beach Day Use Area. That beaver also tested positive for rabies, and managers expanded closures around the lake.
The two confirmed cases in less than two weeks forced a full-court press: more traps, more signs, and more patrols. The aim was simple and urgent. Remove infected animals, stop further contact, and break the chain of exposure before Labor Day crowds arrived.
Inside the boy’s fight and the medical playbook
Local coverage identified the teen as Dominick Cebula and detailed wounds to his chest and hands, followed by multiple surgeries and nerve damage. His stitches are out, and his family said he completed the full rabies treatment series.
Doctors treat confirmed or likely rabies exposure with immediate wound cleaning, human rabies immune globulin, and a four-shot vaccine schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This protocol prevents infection when done quickly and correctly.
Beaver attacks on people are unusual and draw fast headlines. Medical literature counts only 40 confirmed rabid beavers nationwide over two decades.
Reports of human attacks exist, but documented beaver-to-human rabies transmission has not been reported in the literature. That is not a reason to relax. It explains why authorities move fast and ask the public to heed closures until testing and trapping end.
How the park contained risk and reopened
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said the park reopened water access on August 24 after removing rabid beavers and conducting extensive monitoring.
That timeline shows a clear arc: incident, confirmation, closure, removal, and reopening. Managers chose caution over convenience and made the lake safe again before lifting limits.
This is how public safety should work in shared outdoor spaces. Clear rules, quick action, and a clean finish line protect families and preserve trust.
13-year-old recovering from 3 surgeries after rabid beaver attack at Cunningham Falls. https://t.co/nMx6k2q7yh
— ELLIOT IN THE MORNING (@EITMonline) September 14, 2026
Officials delivered direct updates, backed by lab results, and didn’t drag out closures beyond what was needed to trap and test. That balance matters. Families deserve both freedom to enjoy public land and confidence that basic wildlife risks are under control during peak season.
Practical takeaways for lake and trail days
Give wild animals space and leave them alone, even when they seem calm. Any bite or scratch from a wild mammal warrants prompt washing with soap and water and an immediate call to a doctor or health department.
Keep kids within reach in the water, and do not feed wildlife. Report animals that act bold, disoriented, or aggressive. These simple steps cut risk for everyone and keep parks open for the next family rolling up with a cooler and towels.
Sources:
nypost.com, theguardian.com, news.maryland.gov, vice.com
