LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Animal Control Officer David Frates was sad to see an otter recently 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. So Frates gave him time to recover, then dropped him off near water.

The story has 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.