LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Animal Control Officer David Frates was sad to see an otter laying on the side of the road.

The animal had apparently been struck by a car and Frates feared it was dead. But in fact the otter was still breathing. Frates gave him time to recover, then dropped him off near water.

In a happy ending: The otter swam off to his watery home, free to live and swim another day. 

But, as with every saga, this one has a twist. Before swimming off, the ungrateful otter tried to attack Frates.

The animal control officer was not hurt, but as he noted on social media, “Thankfully, it didn’t come to when I had him in my arms or that might not have been so good.’’

Frates bid goodbye to his fickle friend with a message: “Stay out of the road.’’

He could have added: And mind your manners.