WHDH 10/3/22: ‘I just shot a dog’: Wayland Officer shoots and kills family dog while responding to 911 hang-up. Police are investigating after a Wayland police officer reportedly shot and killed a family’s dog while responding to a 911 call at their home on Concord Road Monday. At around 11:20 a.m. Monday, a child in the home accidentally called 911 and hung up, according to officials. Police said in response to the hang-up, an officer was dispatched, and while speaking with the homeowner at the door, the dog ran loose out of the house, then bit the officer multiple times.
WCVB 10/3/22: Massachusetts police officer shoots, kills dog after being attacked, bitten. Police in the Massachusetts town of Wayland are investigating the actions of an officer who fatally shot a dog that attacked and bit him while he was responding to a call. Acting Wayland police Chief Ed Burman said the officer went to a home on Concord Road at about 11:20 a.m. Monday to investigate after someone called 911 and hung up.
Town Press Release:
Acting Police Chief Ed Burman reports that a Wayland Police officer, responding to a 911 hang-up at a local residence, was attacked and bitten by a dog and was forced to use his service weapon, fatally wounding the animal, in self-defense.
On Monday, Oct. 3, at approximately 11:20 a.m., a Wayland Police officer was dispatched to a home on Concord Road to investigate after a person called 911 and hung up. Upon arrival, the officer knocked on the door of the home and began speaking with the homeowner. As the pair were speaking, a dog — later determined to be a pit bull mix — allegedly darted out of the house and attacked the officer, biting him multiple times.
The officer began to retreat to his vehicle and the dog continued to pursue and attack him. In response to the attack, and faced with immediate danger, the officer discharged his firearm, shooting and killing the dog. The dog’s owner was not nearby when the officer discharged the weapon.
The officer was transported to an area hospital by ambulance for treatment for multiple bite wounds. As this is a use of force incident, there will be a complete and thorough investigation, in line with Wayland Police Department policies and procedures.
A preliminary investigation indicates that the dog had a history and was previously the subject of prior complaints about aggressive behavior in Wayland.
“This is a very difficult and unfortunate situation,” Acting Chief Burman said. “The safety of our officers and community members is of the utmost importance, and anytime an officer has to use force, we take it very seriously. We will investigate this incident to ensure we have the fullest possible understanding of what occurred.”
Police determined that the original 911 call was accidental and originated from a child in the home.
