Bite or Fall? Selectmen Order Review of Alleged Dog Bite

MANSFIELD, MA — An animal complaint has the selectmen trying to determine if the dog in question is dangerous.

The selectmen voted 5-0 Wednesday night to order animal control officer Jeff Collins to conduct an investigation into a recent complaint involving a Staffordshire bull terrier. According to a report, a child was being chased by the dog when he fell and felt a pinch. The child had a red mark and said he was bitten, but police officials are not sure if that’s the case.

“I asked the animal control officer whether or not a bite occurred. He can’t determine if the bite occurred. He knows the dog chased the boy, but he can’t tell if the boy was injured by a fall or a bite,” Mansfield Police Chief Ron Sellon told the selectmen.

Sellon said the report was the second of that dog chasing someone, but due to the ambiguity of the situation, the chief said he could have Lt. Frank Archer review the report

“I could see where two very good attorney going over the evidence, it could get cumbersome,” Sellon said.

If it is determined there is probable cause, the board could choose to hold a hearing where the fate of the dog is determined.

Image: File Photo