Dog Impaled By Stick On Walk With Owner In Winchester

WINCHESTER, MA — When a Winchester man heard gunshots then found his dog fatally wounded Monday, he became concerned that his pet had been killed by gunfire. But police said Tuesday night that the dog's actual cause of death was impalement by a stick.

The man told police he was out for a walk with his dog in the town's forest off Sussex Road Monday when he heard what he believed was a gunshot—then found his dog with what seemed to be a gunshot wound. He then reported hearing a second gunshot off in the distance around 15-20 minutes later, according to police.

Authorities asked community members to avoid the area Tuesday as they searched for evidence of gunfire and monitored the scene.

Then came an update after nightfall.

"After a thorough investigation, including a necropsy performed by a veterinarian, the Winchester Police Department has confirmed that the injury sustained by the dog in the Town Forest was the result of an impalement from a tree branch, not a gunshot," the department wrote in a news release. "We believe the dog owner heard a loud noise, similar to a gunshot, at the same time that his dog was out of sight. The wound sustained by the animal appeared visually similar to a gunshot."

Police assured the community that there is no concern for public safety in connection with the dog's death.