Police fire shot at "vicious dog" near Boston Marathon finish line, use Taser to capture animal
Boston police say a "vicious dog" attempted to attack an officer near the Boston Marathon finish line on Thursday, prompting an officer to fire their gun at the animal. The dog was eventually found and subdued using a Taser, police said.
The chaotic scene unfolded around 9:20 a.m. on Boylston Street as finishing touches were being completed at the Boston Marathon finish line ahead of Monday's race.
Dog attack near Boston Marathon finish line
Boston police say it started with a call from the Boston Public Library to remove two women who were reportedly being disruptive outside. The women say it agitated their 9-month-old dog, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
"She was feeling what we were feeling, and I think that set her off," said the dog's owner Kassi Michalsky.
That's when the dog tried to attack the officer. Police said a shot was fired while they tried to get the dog under control.
"They pointed that gun at our dog," said owner Danielle Michalsky. "She was on the blanket when they Tased her and they hit her four times."
The dog ran off, but was later found near Boston Common and Downtown Crossing. Officers were able to get it under control using a Taser. It took multiple attempts in separate locations before the dog was captured, police said.
Boston police said no injuries were reported from the shot that was fired, or from the Taser deployments.
The owners of the dog are moving on but are determined to get their dog back. "I'm not worried about getting her back," said Kassi Michalsky. "Hoping that she really is OK. We were told that she is fine."
Boston police said no arrests have been made. The Boston Police Department said the investigation remains "active and ongoing."
Witnesses describe chaos at Boston Marathon finish line
Witness Justin Kuo was near the finish line, and didn't know what was happening at first.
"We were uncertain at that time. I kept focus on looking at the finish line, thinking maybe it was a shot, maybe it was something that fell off a truck," Kuo said.
Witnesses said the incident created confusion and fear. Serena Matriarch was coming out of the subway when she came across the commotion.
"This lady was walking the opposite direction I was. And this guy was screaming at her, like 'Hey, hey, no, don't go that way," Matriarch said.
"It's unfortunate that someone had to discharge a gun there, but I'm glad everybody was OK," Kuo said.
Monday marks the 129th running of the Boston Marathon. Police barriers are already in place in much of the area on Boylston Street.
There are several events scheduled for this weekend in the city, including the expo where runners pick up their bibs, and the Boston Marathon Fan Fest.
