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Police Shot and Killed Pit Bull Involved in Dorchester, Boston Dog Attack on Howe Terrace Near Hancock Street
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (September 7, 2025) – A woman was seriously injured in a Dorchester dog attack on Howe Terrace by Hancock Street.
Boston police officials say the incident took place on Monday night. Around 7:30 p.m., police officers received a report of an out-of-control dog.
When officers arrived, they initially tried to distract the pit bull that was attacking a woman, but those efforts were not successful. The two responding officers opened fire and shot the dog, who died due to his injuries. Paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim.
She was taken to a local hospital with major damage to her arm. One neighbor at a nearby apartment on Howe Terrace said that the dog involved in the attack was “pretty aggressive”.
A full investigation into the dog attack incident remains ongoing.
Liability for Dog Attacks in Boston, MA
Massachusetts dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries caused by their animals. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 140, § 155, dog owners are legally responsible if their animal attacks someone, even if they were unaware that their dog had a propensity to attack people. There are, however, certain exceptions where an owner may not be liable for an attack. This includes situations where the person bitten was trespassing or tormenting the dog in some way. Dog owners should take several actions to prevent their animals from attacking people.
- Leash: Dog owners should always have their dogs on a leash when they are out in public. They should only be off a leash in designated off-leash areas, such as dog parks.
- Confinement: Dogs should be properly confined at the home of the owner of the dog. In many situations, dogs that are not properly confined escape from the yard of home and go on to attack someone.
- Warnings: Dog owners should properly warn the public and people who may enter their home that they have a dog. This can be accomplished with signs that read “Warning: Beware of Dog.”
Dog attacks can leave victims with serious trauma and lasting injuries. In particular, dogs can transfer dangerous bacteria to their victims and cause major infections. If left untreated, these infections can be life-threatening. In addition to sustaining physical injuries, victims may need to take extensive periods of time away from work as they recover. It is essential that any person injured in a Boston dog attack consider all of their legal options.
Dog attacks are one of the leading causes of preventable injury in the United States. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “Approximately 334,000 people are admitted to US emergency departments annually with dog bite-associated injuries, and another 466,000 are seen in other medical settings.”
Steps to Take After A Boston, Massachusetts Dog Attack
Victims of dog attacks should take a number of actions to protect their rights.
- Medical Evaluation: Victims of dog attacks should seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Many of the injuries associated with dog attacks will not be immediately obvious.
- Police Report: The attack should be reported to the police or animal control as soon as possible. They can take steps to identify the owner and hold them accountable.
Related: How to Report a Dog Bite in Massachusetts
- Legal support: Any person injured in a dog attack should seek the guidance of an experienced Boston dog bite attorney. An attorney can take steps to ensure that victims are fairly compensated for all of their injuries.
One of the great advantages of hiring an attorney is that they do not charge anything upfront to take on your case. They work entirely on a contingency fee basis. In other words, they get paid entirely by the opposing party’s insurance provider if they are able to successfully resolve your claim.
Getting Legal Help After Boston Dog Attacks
DiBella Law extends our best wishes to the woman injured in this horrific incident. It is our hope that she will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Boston Police Department.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Boston dog attack? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our Boston personal injury attorney is here to assist you. Our team has decades of experience handling these types of accidents and injuries and can answer any dog bite attack questions you have!
We care deeply that victims of dog attacks get the support and justice that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help you, we are here to make your life better. You can contact us anytime for a free case evaluation.