LEXINGTON, MA -- Police are investigating whether a Lexington man acted illegally when he shot to death the dog that bit his wife outside their Concord Avenue home.
According to a police report, the man called police shortly before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, to report he had killed their dog after it bit his wife in the arm and shoulder. The bites were severe enough to send the woman to the hospital for stitches, police said.
According to the police report, the woman was bitten while attempting to bring the dog into the house, around 8 p.m. Police believe the man came to his wife’s aid, shot the dog, took her to the hospital and then reported the incident.
Working with LPD’s animal control officer and the Animal Rescue League, police are investigating to determine whether the man was acting within the law when he discharged his firearm within 500 feet of a building.
“It would really have to be an imminent life and death situation at the time,” said Lt. James Barry, a spokesman for the Lexington Police Department. “Whether that’s what happened here is still under investigation at this time.”
The dog was a German Shepherd, which the man a received – just a few days prior to the incident – from a friend in Waltham, where the dog may have bitten someone, as well, according to Barry.
Police could not provide the dog’s age, weight or gender on Friday, June 24. Barry also did not reveal what type of gun the man used, but did say he was licensed.
(Lexington Patch - June 26, 2011)
