Handling of Dog Attack Leaves Resident Frustrated
Michael Crimmings says "the public should be made aware of what happens if you're attacked by a dog."
Michael Crimmings says he and his dog Riley walk three times per day, often through their Westborough neighborhood.
"All the neighborhood kids love my dog. 'Here comes Riley'. They'll all come out, running," Crimmings says.
"He'll sit there. He loves it. Loves getting patted. All he wants to do is make people happy."
A dog bite during one neighborhood stroll one evening last month has Crimmings scratching his head.
Crimmings says that another dog bit and injured Riley on the backside, unprovoked, on Aug. 3. On-call animal control officer Less Boardman cited the owner of the other dog, John Carruthers, of 7A Mayberry Drive, for having an uncontrolled dog, according to the Westborough Police report. Crimmings says Carruthers was fined $100 for this, and $60 for having an unlicensed dog.
Crimmings says "the public should be made aware of what happens if you're attacked by a dog."
"It makes no sense. If I told you a story of a man who was attacked by a dog while they were standing and sitting on the sidewalk and all they got was a $160 fine, does that sound right? Does it?" Crimmings asked during a recent interview.
"All I can do is advocate for my dog. I don't think the town's against me. I just think they're doing what they have to do.
"I tell you. If my dog ever did that, I'd be down on my knees, right then and there. And my dog would go that day. Now, I have to take walks by myself. And people ask me where my dog is."
Police were called to Crimmings' home, 1 Holmes St., at 8:09 p.m. Aug. 3, according to Patrolman Richard Trainor's report.
Michael and Carolyn Crimmings said Michael and Riley were walking in front of the senior housing on Mayberry Drive "when a brown dog ran across the field and attacked" Riley, Trainor wrote.
Carolyn Crimmings reported the "same dog also went after her in early spring," Trainor wrote.
"Michael and Carolyn Crimmings both made demands that the owner be arrested for assault," Trainor wrote.
"I attempted to explain the procedure which is followed for animal complaints, but they were not deterred in their insistence. They complained that their issue was not being given the attention it deserved."
Trainor wrote that he then went to Carruthers' address.
"He readily admitted to the incident and stated that he was playing with his three-year-old grandson and his dog Jackson in the rear of their apartment. The dog slipped out of his collar and did run toward the other dog," Trainor wrote.
"Mr. Carruthers stated the other owner began kicking out at his dog. He tried to tell him to stop and let him get his dog. Mr. Carruthers stated that the other owner balled up his fists as if he wanted to fight him. He took his dog and returned to his home. He stated the incident lasted a few seconds."
Crimmings told Westborough Patch that "I'm sure the guy (Carruthers) is not happy about it."
"You'd think he'd say, 'Sorry,'" Crimmings said.
"The police gave me his name, but I'm not going to call him. I don't want to see this guy again."
CIV1962
7:58 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
The Crimmings are understandably shaken over the incident, and I pray Riley is recovering well. I would imagine, like other towns, Westborough has guidelines on punishment based upon number of reported offenses. As an owner of a dog, I would never entertain the statement "And my dog would go that day." I would get my dog help to refrain from such behaviour. I would also hope Riley will be able to enjoy his walks again soon, as he should not be sheltered over such an incident. I am sure it was a horrific situation, and my sympathies lie for both dogs.
jhschool
10:00 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
I think the title of this article should be "Handling of Dog Attack on Another Dog Leaves Resident Frustrated". It's a bit misleading. At no time was a human bit. If a dog gets loose, it may attack another dog on its territory. That IS being provoked by dog standards and dogs don't understand sidewalks or property lines. Does this make it a bad dog? No. We can't be putting down dogs every time one dog fights with another. From the way the article reads, yes a dog was bit, but when the owner tried to fight off the aggressive dog, it did not bite the man back, which is a very real danger. I am sorry that sweet dog was bit, but I don't think the situation was wrongly handled other than the fine being quite low, as long as the owner has increasing penalties for every time the dog is allowed to be loose. If the problem continues, the dog should be removed from the home. Let's not water down the severity of Assault on a criminal record.
CharlesHaughey
12:30 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
As a dog owner of what I consider the most lovable, well behaved animal just like Riley. The key word being animal. When I walk my dog I never loose sight of the fact and am very aware of my surroundings. With other dogs you do get in to territorial and alpha dog situations. Accidents can also happen and while Riley was sadly, in the wrong place at the wrong time you were not bitten. I suspect the other owner is very shuck up and now very cautious with his pet. If my dog got in to a scrap with another dog I'd be very devastated if I was told to end his life!!! Just like humans unless there's a repeated pattern of such everyone deserves a second chance.
Mike
7:53 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Just for the record there was no dog fight or scrap...My dog an I were both attacked unprovoked by the brown dog. The brown dog sprinted at us from around 100 yards away. It also had to cross a street to attack us on the sidewalk. This was unprovoked. We were doing 100 percent nothing wrong. The attacking dog was not leashed. The attack was instant. I used my foot to kick out at it, to try stop it from biting Riley and myself. I was scared for my life and Riley’s life. However, I was not able to stop its continued aggressive biting. The Brown dog maimed Riley by biting his back by his rear. The brown dog attempted to shake the backside of Riley with its teeth clenched in his skin. My dog's response to this was only to Yelp and try run away. When the owner of the brown dog saw his animal attacking us, he came over with a second dog, a white pit bull that was leashed. The white pit bull then bit Riley and attempted to bite me. The owner did not offer an apology or his name/number. The owner then stated "they didn't bite him and keep walking".
Mike
7:53 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Per Mr. John Keefe, the Westborough Animal Control Officer, neither of the two dogs that attacked us was licensed with the Town of Westborough. RILEY HAD TO BE QUARANTINED for 10 days becuase the two attacking dogs were not licensed.
Riley was licensed with the town and had all of his shots. He was also leashed at the time of the attack.
I have asked Mr. Jim Malloy’s office for a copy of the report that Mr. John Keefe and/or Mr. Less Boardman made about the 8/3/2012 incident. I have yet to receive it. I hurt my back and may have a permanent scar on my leg.
He had to have multiple staples and a drain inserted. It was very upsetting watching his face wince as each staple was put into him. He had to take 2 medications for over 7 days. He wounds oozed red blood and pink discharge for almost a week. I had to purchase and lay down 4 flat sheets on the floor, so the blood and discharge oozing would not stain the rug or floor. He also developed a skin infection which required additional medications. So far my veterinarian expenses are at $456.63. Riley’s hair has not grown fully back yet. Riley now has a bump near his tail that also permanent.
Heather
10:57 am on Tuesday, April 2, 2013
I know where you are comming from. I live in Grafton, and my two year old and myself were attacked by a the neighbors 2. Two hundred lb mastiffs, no i'm sorry what can we do to help...IT has taken 125 days a lawyer and alot of $$$ to get the town to do anything! These dogs were also unlicensed. What a joke the town selectmen and dog officer are.