animal attacks

April 12, 2013

Boy, 14, suffers severe dog bite injures by guard dogs

Unfortunately, there has been another vicious dog bite attack in Massachusetts. The latest incident occurred at a construction demolition yard in Revere. A 14-year-old boy suffered severe dog bite injuries, and when a hero cop showed up to help, the boy was unresponsive. Rushed to the hospital, the boy suffered open wounds to his skull, has undergone surgery, and is facing multiple plastic surgery operations down the road.

The report of the attack is terrifying. A 12-year-old friend of the victim called 9-1-1 while the two Rottweilers, both guard dogs, were mauling the victim. The two boys had been visiting the dogs for months and petting them through the fence without incident. On the day of the attack, the older boy climbed over the fence, and the animals set upon him after he fiddled with his cell phone.

The police officer who saved the boy acted courageously, and the boy’s mother credits the officer with saving her son’s life. Ironically, he was previously the target of an investigation concerning his work ethic, and it appears that whatever issue existed has now fallen firmly by the wayside. While these guard dogs were contained on their property when the attack occurred, they were both euthanized voluntarily after the horrific tragedy.

March 28, 2013

Massachusetts dog bite attack: 400 stitches, dog put down

By John C. Manoog III

The mother of a 6-year-old Massachusetts boy that was attacked by a nearly 50 lb. dog recently filed a complaint with the Mansfield Selectmen. She asked the governmental body to declare the animal dangerous and to order that it be put to sleep. Her son was mauled in the dog bite attack, and he required more than 400 stitches to close a multitude of wounds to his face and body.

After the terrifying incident, the neighbors were required to keep the dog inside their home while the selectmen acted on the mother’s complaint. The local animal control officer testified during formal proceedings that the animal would likely bite another time and that such an attack could be even more severe. The selectmen ultimately determined the animal was dangerous and ordered it to be euthanized. The owners were given 10 days to appeal the ruling.

During the 10-day period, the dog attacked and bit a 16-year-old occupant of the owner’s home. She required hospitalization, though she was not believed to be in danger of losing her life. The dog, on the other hand, was surrendered to the local animal control authority and was reportedly put to sleep two days later. There was no further information disclosed on the updated medical conditions of the boy or teenage girl.

February 7, 2013

Massachusetts dog bite by un-muzzled animal injures man

By John C. Manoog III

A man was taken to a Massachusetts hospital recently after he was injured while trying to break up a dog fight. A dog apparently owned by another individual bit another dog in early January. The man that was injured attempted to separate the two animals and was bitten by the same animal that bit the other dog. The nature and extent of the man’s injuries caused by the dog bite was not further reported, and his updated medical condition is not known.

The incident occurred in the Boston suburb of Needham, and the town’s Animal Control Officer responded to the scene. Further details of the attack were not reported. However, the owner of the dog was said to have received a citation because the dog was not muzzled in accordance with local law.

Massachusetts is known as a strict liability state when it comes to dog bite attacks. Nevertheless, the laws regarding strict liability vary from state to state. In addition to state laws, local jurisdictions often have laws that apply within its borders.

October 26, 2012

Massachusetts man suffers dog bite attack to face and thigh

By John C. Manoog III

Earlier this month, a Massachusetts man in his 30’s was attacked by two dogs outside this home in Dalton. The dog bite attack resulted in injuries to the man’s face and left thigh. The incident occurred at about 4 in the afternoon. The dogs were said to have exited an apartment nearby and attacked the man.

Police at the scene ultimately killed one of the dogs and captured the other. Both were thought to be a pit bull mix, though that fact was not confirmed. The dog that was shot by police was said to have been a male dog and was put down after he continued to be aggressive. It was considered too dangerous to further attempt to obtain the animal.

The other dog was a female who was captured and turned over to an animal shelter. The dogs’ owner was not home at the time of the incident. Police were said to be continuing their investigation, and no decision had been made about filing criminal charges.

July 5, 2012

Massachusetts dog bite case has Chelmsford barking

By John C. Manoog III

Two recent dog bite incidents in the Massachusetts town of Chelmsford have not only resulted in serious injury but also hearings before the town selectmen to determine what to do about the perceived problem. Both incidents concern the same pit bull and involve dog bite incidents on the owners’ property.

The family has lived in the town for more than a year and a half and has displayed Beware of Dog signs in their backyard. While the selectmen consider the matter, the family has been ordered to muzzle the dog, have the animal examined at the Lowell Humane Society and post more Beware of Dog signs in the front of their home.

The first attack occurred on May 1 when a neighbor came by for an arranged visit. The dog owner claims she was not able to get the animal leashed in time, and the dog bit the visitor on the hand, requiring seven stitches to close the wound. The second attack happened on June 12 as a couple, who had been hired by the homeowners to trim trees on the property outside a fenced area for the dog, was finishing their work. The homeowner let the dog outside, apparently thinking the workers had left. Instead, the dog attacked the female worker, and she received extensive tissue damage on her forearm as a result of the dog bite.