Do river otters live in the Piedmont region?

I believe they do, yes. I was driving, earlier today from the city of Casale and saw two Otter like animals in a field by the road. I stopped to get a closer look but they immediately took refuge in the swollen drainage ditch that was quite high due to rains. I was very surprised and amazed to see two otters in a farmers field in this region. Wonderful sighting.