Five dogs connected to the mauling death this month of a 14-year-old boy will be euthanized, a Massachusetts town council has voted.
The Board of Selectmen of the town of Dighton voted Wednesday to euthanize five of the 11 dogs that Ryan Hazel was caring for while their owner, who has a background in dog training, was out of town.
The dogs will be put down within 48 hours, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.
Authorities say five dogs that attacked and killed a 14-year-old Massachusetts boy who regularly took care of them will be euthanized.https://t.co/ribsJTVnx8
— CBS 21 News (@CBS21NEWS) May 23, 2019
“It was a tough decision, however, it was the right decision,” Dighton Selectman Chair Kenneth Pacheco said, according to the station.
Ryan was pronounced dead May 9 at the dog owner’s home in Dighton after suffering “traumatic injuries,” said Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. Ryan regularly cared for the owner’s dogs, he said, and no foul play was suspected.
Community gathers to remember Ryan Hazel, 14-year-old teen killed in Dighton dog mauling https://t.co/cx7OMPC1WB pic.twitter.com/qj4eAkfhNj
— masslivenews (@masslivenews) May 19, 2019
BREAKING: 5 dogs involved in fatal mauling of 14 yr old Ryan Hazel in Dighton will be euthanized. Board of Selectman just voted. @NBC10Boston @NECN pic.twitter.com/g6P9VwURny
— Kathryn Sotnik NBC10 Boston (@KatNBCBoston) May 22, 2019
Among the four dogs found in the outdoor enclosure where Ryan died were Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd breeds, Miliote said in early May. Those dogs, along with seven others found caged in the home, were quarantined in custody until the board hearing. It was not immediately clear what will happen to the other dogs.
Five dogs allegedly involved in the mauling death of Ryan Hazel earlier this month have been ordered to be euthanized. https://t.co/8B9iPa33Tk
— masslivenews (@masslivenews) May 23, 2019
Dogs involved in fatal attack on teen to be euthanized https://t.co/Zav9GPsQlK pic.twitter.com/vIAsBzN84f
— Boston Herald (@bostonherald) May 23, 2019
A neighbor found Ryan dead after the boy’s grandmother grew concerned after she waited for him for an hour in the driveway of the dog owner’s home. She alerted the teen’s parents, who called the neighbor, Miliote said.