Dog Escapes, Mauls Another Dog To Death In Newton

NEWTON, MA — A dog on the loose mauled another dog on Beethoven Avenue in Waban, killing it and injuring at least two other humans just after 1 p.m. Friday, according to Newton Police.

Animal control officers captured the dog, but at least one person went to the hospital, police said.

"It's not only sad for that poor dog that got killed, it's sad for the owner and anyone who had to watch that," said Lt. Bruce Apotheker, spokesperson for the Newton Police.

Police are investigating whether anyone had complained about the dog, described as "pit-bull like," before.

Per city ordinances, dogs must be leashed at all times when on public property and the leash can not exceed 10 feet. The owner faces a $50 fine for violating that ordinance. If a dog bites a human or kills another dog, the owner faces another $50 fine, and the animal control officer may order the dog to be muzzled or confined to its owner's premises for at least a week.

Bull terrier breeds have been involved in some highly publicized biting incidents and dog-fighting headlines in recent years, prompting controversy surrounding related breeds. Some argue pit bulls are inherently dangerous.

An advocacy group started by a woman who was attacked by a pit bull, found on average nearly two-thirds of all fatal dog attacks in the U.S. are because of pit bulls. The victim advocacy group dogsbite.org, which supports banning the breed altogether, also said it found that last year pit bulls, rottweilers and mastiff-type guard dogs and fighting breeds accounted for 89 percent, or 32 of all dog bite-related fatalities in the U.S.

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals argue the incidents are outliers and tarnish the reputations of what can be friendly, stable even calm pets. They point to tales of the animal's jaw locking when it bites, is a myth.

"Studies show that the jaw of the Pit Bull is in proportion to its size and is no different than any other breed of dog," the MSPCA posted to its website. Studies have concluded that although pit bulls have strong jaws and like most dogs will hold onto their prey after biting it, there is no evidence that a pit bull's jaws are anatomically different from those of other breeds. There is no evidence that any kind of "locking mechanism" in the American pit bull terrier,

according to Dr. I Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia and others.

Animal experts say aggressive pit bulls as with any aggressive dogs are often victims of irresponsible and abusive ownership or past ownership. The MSPCA describes pit bulls as extremely intelligent dogs that take their cues from the humans who raise them.

A look at 122 dogs of different breeds by the American Temperament Testing Society showed pit bulls
achieved a passing rate of 87.4 percent. That's better than beagles which scored 79.7 percent, and golden retrievers which get a rate of 85.6 percent. Golden retrievers, incidentally, were the most popular breed in the city in 2017, Patch previously reported.

Both sides of the argument are passionate on the subject, as Patch has learned from the many emails after posting this article originally. For a look at how both sides of the pit bull debate get it wrong, check out this Q&A with the award-winning journalist Bronwen Dickey who spent seven years researching and writing Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon in 2017.

This year there are only 35 residents who registered with city hall that they have a Pitbull breed. The most popular breed is still Golden Retriever in the city, with 660 registered, according to the city.

If you need to report a dog bite, an animal hit by a car or any wildlife exhibiting aggressive behavior, call the Newton police main number 617-796-2100.

Previously: What's The Most Common Dog Name And Breed in Newton

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).