![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article25043929.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Nutria-on-banks-of-canal-search-for-food-Wild-nutria-inhabit-ponds-and-rivers-reservoirs-with-low.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAn elderly man has claimed he was left fighting for his life after a swim in a remote pond turned dangerous when he was attacked by a very angry and rabid beaver. <\/p>\n
Mark "Pres" Pieraccini, from Massachusetts, reportedly suffered extremely extensive injuries after he was attacked by the ruthless creature earlier this month, and even nearly drowned on several occasions. <\/p>\n
The attack left him with multiple puncture wounds, large gashes in his arm and leg, lacerations all over his body and scalp, and even a torn tendon on one of his fingers, Mass Live reports. <\/p>\n
The man is also undergoing treatment for rabies, as well as suffering a fractured knuckle on one hand, that is believed to be from punching the beaver repeatedly.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mr Pieraccini said that fighting a long battle with the aggressive 50-pound beast left him without the energy needed to stay afloat. <\/p>\n
"At some point, I said to myself, 'If I stop and fight him one more time, I'm going to drown,'" he said.<\/p>\n
The 73-year-old said he punched the wild animal to scare it off but that scarily made it more agitated when it began to attack. <\/p>\n
"I couldn't process it," he said.<\/p>\n
The man realised the attack had left him bleeding heavily \u2013 and he still had a mile and a half to ride back to his car so he could drive straight to Baystate Franklin Medical Centre.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article25043932.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_A-Headshot-of-a-Beaver-feeding-in-a-river.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Never want to miss a story like this? You can get all of Daily Star's articles sent directly to your inbox! Sign up in seconds here!<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n
Doctors told him the damager sustained in the attack was "astounding and very serious", and that he was extremely lucky to not drown or bleed out.<\/p>\n
Despite the injuries, Mr Pireacinni refused to disclose the exact location of the pond to park rangers, as he feared they would kill the beaver population there.<\/p>\n
As the creature that attacked Pieraccini has not been recovered by authorities, there is no way to verify the story and claims.<\/p>\n