Two Injured in Lynn Dog Attack Near Flax Pond Park

LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS (July 29, 2025)— A woman and a young boy were identified as the victims of a Lynn dog attack not far from Flax Pond Park.

Essex County officials are saying that the incident took place around 1:20 PM on Saturday. A 22-year-old woman was accompanying a seven-year-old boy when a pair of off-leash dogs attacked the two.

The child sustained bite injuries to his face, ear, and arm. Both victims were hospitalized to receive treatment. The father of the seven-year-old victim told a reporter for Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra that he wants justice in this case.

Authorities eventually located the dogs and owners associated with the attack. The dogs remain in quarantine, and an owner has been cited for failing to control them properly. They were also cited for failure to license the dogs with the city of Lynn and failure to obtain a rabies vaccination.

Liability for Lynn Dog Attacks

The Massachusetts Supreme Court held that dog owners are still strictly liable for attacks, even if the owner was not negligent and the dog had no prior history of attacking anyone else.

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 140, § 155, if any dog does damage to either the body or property of a person, the owner will be liable for the resulting damages. However, there are exceptions if the person who was attacked was either trespassing or tormenting the dog prior to being injured.

If the victim was under seven years of age, it is presumed that such a minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, and the burden of proof shall be upon the defendant. In other words, it doesn’t matter whether the dog previously attacked someone or if the owner knew or didn’t know about the dog’s propensity for violence.

Pet owners have a responsibility to control and manage their animals. For example:

• Leash: Owners should always have their dogs on a leash when they are out in public, except in designated off-leash areas.
• Socialization: Owners should socialize their dogs at a young age to get them used to being around other people.
• Confinement: Owners should properly confine their dogs to their home or yard when they do not have direct control over them.

Any person injured in a dog attack in Massachusetts can seek some measure of justice and accountability through a civil claim. Consider, for example, Malchanoff v. Truehart. In this case, a dog attacked a three-year-old child. The defendant’s dog entered the yard of the victim and bit the child on the face, causing serious trauma.

Taking Prompt Action After a Dog Bite Accident

It is important that certain actions are taken after any dog attack in Massachusetts.

• Medical Evaluation: Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation and treatments. The mouth of a dog contains millions of bacteria, and even seemingly minor bites can lead to major infections if left untreated.
• Report: The attack should be reported to the police and animal control as soon as possible. They can begin an investigation and help take the first steps to hold the owners accountable.
• Seek Legal Counsel: Victims of dog attacks in Massachusetts should get the guidance of an experienced Boston dog bite attorney. An attorney can evaluate all of the unique facts of your case, free of cost, and let you know what your legal options are.

Dog attacks can be incredibly traumatic, especially for children. Victims are often left with lasting injuries and scars. In severe cases, the affected party may sustain permanent injuries or nerve damage that makes numerous tasks very difficult.

To exacerbate the situation, dog owners often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if their animal injures someone. They may attempt to claim that their animal was being antagonized by the victim. This is why it is crucial for any person injured in a dog attack to consult with a dog attack lawyer near them.

U.S. Dog Bite and Attack Statistics

Dog attacks remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury in the United States. According to one study in The Journal of Pediatrics, “in the United States (US) alone, an estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur each year. Of these annual dog bite victims, 885,000 seek medical care, nearly 370,000 are seen in emergency departments (EDs), and an average of 16 fatalities occur. Children are highly vulnerable to dog bites and make up a large percentage of dog bite victims.”

Contact DiBella Law to Get Free Legal Advice After a Dog Attack

DiBella Law extends our best wishes to both of the victims of this Lynn dog attack near Flax Pond Park. It is deeply concerning that a child went through this traumatic experience. This was a preventable incident that should not have taken place. The responsible parties need to be held accountable.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a dog attack in Lynn, Massachusetts? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of highly experienced Boston dog bite attorneys is here to support you at every step of your injury claim.

We are committed to helping dog bite victims get the support and justice that they need so that they can focus on healing. Whether you have legal questions or are in search of justice after an attack, we are here to assist you. You can contact us anytime online or call us at (617) 870-0907.