Dighton Selectmen Vote To Euthanize Dogs That Killed Teen

DIGHTON (CBS) – The board of selectmen in Dighton has voted to euthanize five dogs that killed a teenager who was caring for them.

Before the vote, the board held a moment of silence for the victim, 14-year-old Ryan Hazel. The board members were emotional while thanking the community for their support.

The unanimous vote to euthanize was very quick. The town administrator told the board the district attorney, police chief, and animal control officer are all in agreement.

"It was a tough decision however it was the right decision," said board chairman Kenneth Pacheco.

The owner of the dogs, Scott Dunmore, was not at Wednesday night's meeting. He waived his right to have a dangerousness hearing and to appeal the board's decision.

Three of the five dogs being euthanized are eight months old, one is two-years old and the last is four years old.

All five dogs are being blamed for the tragic death of the 14-year-old. He was mauled by the dogs on May 9th.

The Bristol County DA says Hazel was at the Maple Swamp Road home that day watching the dogs for the owner. He never returned to his grandmother's car and that's when someone called 911.

"They got out before and it's clear if they were still there they could still get out, I'm sorry to say," said Derek Parks who sat in on the vote. He lives across from the property where Hazel was tragically killed.

"It's just sad you know," Parks said. "It's just irresponsible that you could do let this happen."

Funeral services were held this weekend for Ryan Hazel. He was a freshman at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech.

Pacheco says the five dogs will be euthanized within the next 48 hours.