Chelsea police seize dog who attacked and injured smaller pup

Chelsea officials confiscated a dog that was caught on camera mauling a puppy on Monday and placed it in quarantine — a chaotic attack that left a second dog seriously injured.

“Injuries sustained [smaller] Chelsea Police Chief Keith E. Houghton, in a letter: “A dog and the emotional impact on its owner is truly heartbreaking.” statement.

Little information was provided about the dog attack that happened Monday night on Chestnut Street. While the exact circumstances of the accident remain unclear, Mobile phone shots The social media post appears to show both owners frantically struggling to separate the two dogs as the larger pet thumps to the ground.

“We understand that people have strong feelings about this incident, and rightly so,” Houghton admitted. “Many members of our department are dog owners themselves and recognize the pain and trauma that the victim and her family are experiencing. I ask the public to allow us to complete a fair, thorough, and impartial investigation before making a judgment based on social media posts.”

Chelsea Police noted on Facebook that both owners remained at the scene when officers arrived. According to Houghton, the initial investigation determined that the larger dog was unlicensed. He added that a Chelsea animal control officer has since impounded the dog and will remain in quarantine for 10 days, as required by state law.

“As the investigation continues, our Animal Control Officer is evaluating several potential violations of Massachusetts law and city ordinances, and appropriate citations and enforcement actions will be initiated where supported by the evidence,” Houghton added.

But at this point, he noted, “the facts are that this matter primarily involves violations of local and state animal control laws, including the city’s leash ordinance, and not criminal offenses.”

Chelsea officials are also working to determine whether available evidence supports initiating a so-called “serious dog hearing,” Houghton said. under Massachusetts lawIf the dog is deemed dangerous, the hearing authority may order the animal to be restrained, securely confined, muzzled, neutered, spayed, or even euthanized, among other possible outcomes.

According to Houghton, the Chelsea Police Department also reviewed body-worn camera footage from the scene and determined that its officers “acted appropriately and within their authority.”

“We expect to release the body-worn camera footage once the investigation is complete, and it will not interfere with the integrity of the operation,” he added.

An MSPCA-Angell spokesperson said the organization’s veterinary hospital was unable to comment on the condition of the smaller dog, because it is not one of the pets MSPCA-Angell shelters. but, WCVB She reported that the injured dog — a service animal named Snoopy Snoop Dog — needed to have his leg amputated.

“he [Snoopy] “I have been retired as a service dog,” owner Lisa Henriquez told WCVB. “I feel like I’m going to be a prisoner in my own home. … My anxiety is at an all-time high now.”