Maryland family speaks out after ‘4-foot-long’ rabid beaver attacks 13-year-old boy

Teen in Maryland Survives Rabid Beaver Attack After 13‑Year‑Old Suffers Multiple Wounds

A 13‑year‑old boy from Frederick County, Maryland, was attacked by a rabid beaver while swimming at Cunningham Falls State Park on July 26, 2023. The incident left the teenager with serious injuries that required several surgeries and a prolonged course of rabies post‑exposure treatment. The attack prompted authorities to close the park’s lake area and led to the euthanasia of the infected animal.

The Attack

Dominick Cebula, the boy who was swimming in the designated fishing area at Hunting Creek Lake, was struck by a 4‑foot‑long adult beaver that surfaced abruptly from the water. Family members report that the animal latched onto Dominick’s chest and refused to release its grip. “He did not provoke it, poke it, or mess with it in any way. This was completely unprovoked,” said Leigh Cebula, Dominick’s aunt, in a statement shared on the family’s GoFundMe page.

Dominick’s father, Jeff Cebula, told local broadcaster WUSA‑9 that the beaver “began shaking its head and refused to let go.” He described how, after attempting to remove the animal, the beaver lunged again, biting Dominick’s right hand. “He tried to get it off of him… He grabbed its head and a leg, and he tried to get it off of him,” Jeff recounted. The boy eventually managed to pull the beaver off his chest, but he was still bitten twice before being air‑lifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Paramedics feared that a lung puncture may have occurred, but the boy was fortunate to avoid that complication. “It was so traumatic. He was lif‑flighted to Johns Hopkins because the paramedics were worried his lung was punctured. Luckily it wasn’t,” Alishia Cebula, Dominick’s mother, said to Fox News Digital.

Medical Care

Dominick was treated on the scene with immediate wound care and started on the rabies post‑exposure vaccine series. He underwent a series of surgical procedures in the months following the attack. The most recent operation, on September 4, repaired a severed nerve in his finger. “He is doing much better,” Alishia said, adding that the vaccine “has saved his life.” He has been attending multiple follow‑up appointments to complete the vaccination regimen and monitor his recovery.

Park Closure and Euthanasia

In response to the attack, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources ordered a temporary closure of Hunting Creek Lake, the swimming and fishing area of Cunningham Falls State Park. The park had previously been a popular destination for the Cebula family, who noted that they had swum there for years and had never encountered beavers before this incident.

After the attack, authorities captured the beaver and performed rabies testing, confirming it was infected. The animal was euthanized to prevent further risk. The park remains partially closed while officials investigate the outbreak and assess any additional threat to visitors.

Additional Attacks

The July 26 incident was the first of three reported attacks involving rabid beavers that prompted the park’s partial closure. On August 5, a 19‑year‑old fisherman was bitten on the ankle by a beaver at Cunningham Falls. Less than three weeks later, a 10‑year‑old girl was attacked by a beaver while wading with a group at Seneca Creek State Park, also in Frederick County.

These multiple incidents have drawn attention to the increasing presence of rabies‑positive beavers in the region, a disease that can spread to humans and domestic animals. Public health officials have urged visitors to remain vigilant, to avoid provoking wildlife, and to seek immediate medical care if bitten.

Family Response

The Cebula family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and support the boy’s ongoing treatment. In addition to recounting the details of the attack, the family expresses gratitude for the swift response of emergency personnel and the medical staff at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Leigh Cebula, speaking to the fundraiser page, emphasized that the incident happened in an area where the family had never seen beavers before, underscoring the surprise and severity of the encounter.

“We’re getting to the end of this traumatic event,” Alishia said. “He’s doing much better, and we’re thankful for the vaccine.”

Moving Forward

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources continues to monitor the situation at Cunningham Falls State Park and is working with wildlife experts to assess rabies risk among local beaver populations. The park’s management plans to reopen the lake area once it is deemed safe and after a comprehensive assessment of the surrounding wildlife.

For now, Dominick Cebula’s story serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and the importance of rapid medical intervention following potential rabies exposure. The family’s recovery is a testament to the effectiveness of the post‑exposure vaccine and the prompt care provided by local medical professionals.