A Foxborough man faces animal cruelty and other charges after police say he shot and killed a neighbor's dog.
The eleven-year-old Siberian husky named Kato was shot in the head with a 22-caliber rifle owned by Frederick Grossmith. Grossmith told police the dog wandered onto his farm, bit him and got into a fight with one of his own dogs.
Grossmith was treated for minor bite wounds, but police said they found no evidence of a fight with other dogs.
Beverly Wigmore's adult children say they bought Kato for their mother eleven years ago. They say he was a friendly dog who had never bitten anyone before.
A spokesman for the Norfolk County District Attorney says Grossmith was released on personal recognizance. His firearms license was revoked and he was ordered to stay away from the Wigmore family. Case UpdatesA Foxboro man is facing charges of animal cruelty after shooting a local family�s dog last Wednesday.
Frederick F. Grossmith, 48, of 250 Cocasset St., was arrested following the incident just before 10 a.m. April 12, and charged with cruelty to an animal, killing an animal and discharging a firearm near a roadway, according to police.
He was arraigned the same day at Wrentham District Court. A pre-trial hearing was set for May 15.
Grossmith faces the charges after he reported to police that he had shot the 11-year-old Siberian husky named Kato, owned by Beverly Wigmore, of Arnold Drive, and her family.
According to police records, Grossmith called police to report the shooting after he claimed he was bitten by the dog while working at a rental property he owns at 209 East St.
Kato had escaped his yard on nearby Arnold Drive.
According to police, Grossmith was about 30 feet away when he fired the shot, and the dog died instantly.
Police confiscated Grossmith�s rifle, ammunition and firearms license at the scene.
The Wigmores and Grossmith could not be reached for comment.
Police Chief Edward O�Leary said it�s the first time in his memory police have responded to the shooting of a pet in the town, though they have dealt with a case of cruelty to a wild bird in the past.
Animal Control Officer John Hazeldine said he also hasn�t encountered any similar cases.
"I haven�t seen anything like this on the job," he said. "I�ve been here five years, and I had another 6 to 7 years in other towns with nothing like this."
Hazeldine transported Kato to the Foxboro Animal Hospital following the shooting, where a necropsy was performed.
"According to the veterinarian, he seemed to think himself that it (death) was quick.," Hazeldine said. | Source: Town Online - April 21, 2006
Update posted on Apr 21, 2006 - 11:01AM |
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