An 86-year-old Massachusetts man is recovering after off-leash dogs attacked him during a routine morning walk near a senior living community.
Michael Roberts was walking at about 9 a.m. on June 18 near NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham when the attack happened, according to People.
Dedham Animal Control said three unleashed dogs were on the trail with three women believed to be in their 20s or 30s. The dogs were described as two white dogs and a boxer.
Anyone who walks through shared neighborhood spaces should thread carefully when they do. Trails, sidewalks, parks, and senior-community paths only work when dogs are under control before another person is close enough to be injured.
The Boxer Knocked Him Down on the Trail
Roberts told WCVB that the boxer ran toward him, jumped up, knocked him to the ground, and bit his arm.
He described the attack as terrifying and said he was too busy fighting for his life to see what the presumed owner was doing during the incident.
Roberts suffered multiple bite injuries, including a serious wound to his arm. WCVB reported that doctors initially raised the possibility of rabies shots if officials could not confirm the dogs’ ownership and vaccination records.
Animal Control Asked the Public for Help
Dedham Animal Control asked the public for help identifying the women and dogs involved. According to People, officials said the women gathered the dogs and immediately left after the incident.
Animal Control said surveillance footage was being reviewed and encouraged anyone familiar with the women or the dogs to come forward.
WCVB reported that Roberts may not need rabies shots because his coat may have helped limit contact with the dog’s saliva.
Dedham Requires Dogs To Be Restrained in Public
Dedham’s animal-control bylaw says a dog cannot run at large in a street or public place. The bylaw also says dogs in public must be effectively restrained by a chain or leash no longer than 10 feet and controlled by a person able to manage the dog’s actions.
The town also requires dogs six months or older to be licensed, and rabies shot papers must be shown before a new license can be issued.
Dedham’s rule is written for exactly the kind of shared space involved here. When a dog is on a public path, sidewalk, or community walkway, control has to happen before the animal reaches another person.
Dog-Bite Guidance Focuses on Distance and Protection
The American Veterinary Medical Association advises people who feel threatened by a dog to stay calm, speak calmly and firmly if they say anything, avoid eye contact, remain still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly.
If knocked down, the AVMA says a person should curl into a ball with their hands over their head, neck, and face.
Roberts’ case remains an Animal Control investigation. Until the owners are identified, the most important public-safety detail is already clear: the dogs were not supposed to be loose on a public walking path.