Unleashed dog shot in park
Uxbridge, MA (US)Incident Date: Monday, Aug 27, 2001
County: Worcester
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Francis Daignault
Francis Daignault, 63, shot a 10-year old border collie mix-breed in the mouth with a .38-caliber handgun when the dog ran up to his wife at the West Hill Dam. His wife was panicked as the unleashed dog ran up to her.
Daignault was summoned to the U.S. Federal Court in Worcester on charges of carrying a firearm on federal property, an offense punishable by a fine of $50 to $500 and up to six months in jail.
Dave Mitchell, 46, owner of the dog, will be fined $25 for walking an unleashed dog.
Uxbridge police Sgt Scott Freitas said, "If he didn't have a gun, this wouldn't have happened and if the dog was leashed this wouldn't have happened. The major issue is that we don't want people walking around the park with a firearm."
Mitchell said, "The dogs got 20 feet from them and the woman started screaming. Her husband kicked Coco, and Coco went up on his hind legs. The guy pulled out a gun and shot him right in the mouth."
Daignault said, "They ran at us headlong for about 50 yard. We were being attacked by two animals."
Sgt Freitas said, "His argument is going to be self-defense."
Coco had surgery for wounds resulting from the bullet entering his mouth and exiting his neck. Coco will survive the shooting and will be released from the Uxbridge Animal Hospital. References« MA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Worcester County, MA
|
