LUNENBURG, MASS. (WHDH) - Lunenburg Police shot and killed a formerly stray dog after it would not let go of a man’s arm.
Just before noon, officers and Lunenburg Rescue responded to the Department’s Animal Control facility for a report of a dog attacking a man. The dog reportedly had bitten the victim several times, and the dog wouldn’t let go of the victim’s arm.
An officer arrived shortly thereafter and found the man in an outdoor kennel, lying on the ground, with the dog attached to his arm. The victim had several serious injuries on his body and face from bites.
Before the officer arrived, the victim and Animal Control employees made several attempts to stop the attack. The officer cleared the man’s head from the dog, and discharged one round from his service weapon, killing the dog.
“It was immediately clear due to the injuries to the victim, and with no other alternatives available, the dog had to be put down to stop the attack,” Chief Thomas Gammel said in a release.
Officials said dog had arrived at the facility Thursday, July 28, when it was found and recovered as a stray dog. The dog was a brindle pit bull type breed, but that is not confirmed at this time. Police are looking to find the dog’s owner.
The victim was treated on scene, but was flown to the Health Alliance Leominster Hospital, then to UMass Worcester. His condition is unknown at this time.
Leland Ritchie, who lives nearby, told 7NEWS he knows the victim well and described him as an older man with a small build.
He said that the victim is a well-known figure in the neighborhood and that he was concerned for him following the attack.
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