Maryland Family Recounts Traumatic Rabid Beaver Attack on 13-Year-Old Boy

A Maryland family is speaking out after a 13-year-old boy was severely attacked by a rabid beaver while swimming at Cunningham Falls State Park. The incident, which occurred on July 26, prompted the closure of the park's swimming area and marked the first of three rabid beaver encounters in the region.

Dominick Cebula was swimming in a designated area of the park when the animal, described by his family as a "four-foot-long adult," emerged from the water and latched onto his chest. His aunt, Leigh Cebula, stated that the attack was "completely unprovoked" and that Dominick had not interacted with the beaver in any way.

The attack unfolded in front of Dominick's mother and younger brother. His father, Jeff Cebula, told WUSA 9 that the beaver refused to release its grip, shaking its head violently. Dominick managed to pull the animal off but was attacked again, this time biting his right hand.

Following the encounters, Dominick was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he began receiving rabies post-exposure treatment and underwent surgery for his injuries. His mother, Alishia Cebula, shared that he had surgery on September 4 to repair a severed nerve in his finger. She expressed gratitude for the rabies vaccine, stating, "Thank God for the vaccine. Luckily, we're getting to the end of this traumatic event."

The beaver was later euthanized and tested positive for rabies. The incident at Cunningham Falls State Park was followed by two other beaver attacks in the area: one on a 19-year-old fisherman on August 5 and another on a 10-year-old girl at Seneca Creek State Park less than three weeks later.