BOSTON (WHDH) - An off-duty Boston police officer opened fire on a pit bull in Boston on Wednesday as it “viciously mauled” an 11-year-old boy, officials said.
The officer sprang into action and opened fire after seeing the pit bull biting the child on the head, neck, arm, and groin around 12 p.m. on Rock Terrace in Dorchester, Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross said during a news conference. The gunshots scared the animal off.
The boy was rushed to a local hospital, where he was taken into surgery for his injuries. The officer was also taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins noted that the child was “harmed significantly” but officials are “hopeful” he will pull through.
Both Gross and Rollins commended the officer for saving the boy’s life, noting that the outcome could have been very different if he didn’t act quickly.
“Thank God the officer was there to intervene because if he didn’t, the dog was going to continue to attack this child,” Gross told reporters. “He did the right thing…Above and beyond the call of duty.”
Two dogs have since been removed from the home. One of them was held back during the attack.
It’s not clear if the dog in question was struck by the gunfire.
Surveillance video shared with 7NEWS showed the dogs running around the neighborhood with their leashes dragging behind.
Police say they have received several calls for unleashed dogs on Rock Terrace in the past.
No charges have been filed and police have not made any arrests.
An investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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