Overview

• Britney Taryn lodged an official animal welfare complaint after a giant Pacific octopus latched onto her son Leo’s arm on July 14, leaving him with deep purple suction bruises.
• Aquarium staff initially described the octopus as “super playful” and required three employees about five minutes to detach it, according to Taryn’s account.
• San Antonio Aquarium has yet to provide written safety or supervision protocols for its “Animal Encounters” touch tank or offer a substantive response to Taryn’s repeated inquiries.
• The facility is not accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, highlighting gaps in external oversight of hands-on marine exhibits.
• Taryn’s viral TikTok videos have intensified public scrutiny of interactive wildlife displays and prompted calls for clearer safety guidelines and welfare standards.