Dog walker’s surprise encounter with Castle Green otter

Resident Stephen Brennan made the surprise discovery around 06.45am on Monday during his daily morning walk with 10-year-old boxer dog Bronte.

Stephen told the Carrick Times: “I always sit Bronte at the statue of King William and walk to the castle wall before calling her as I’m then close enough to be able to see what she does and pick up after her.

“The otter was lying on the grass beside the path about a metre from me, and because it was still dark, I almost walked past it and only caught it out of the corner of my eye as I turned to check Bronte.”

He added that the creature didn’t seem bothered by his presence and only moved when Bronte thought about investigating before being told to sit.

“It moved quite slowly (maybe otters are slow out of water?) to the middle of the Castle Green and I was able to move close again and take some more pics.

“I then moved off to warn another dog owner and when we came back it was gone. Bronte was sitting at the statue which would be the shortest route to the sea, so not really sure where it disappeared to.”

Stephen added he would be really interested to hear from anyone who knows about the otter and its behaviour.

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