A dog in Lowell, Massachusetts, is recuperating after being the victim of a machete attack that left it with a severe head injury. This incident occurred on March 31 at a housing building on Summer Street, as reported by Boston 25 News. The one-year-old Olde English Bulldog, initially known as Sticks, was allegedly struck by 32-year-old Jeremy Collazo, who is now being held without bail on charges of animal cruelty.
Following the attack, the injured animal was taken to an animal hospital, receiving several stitches for a deep gash on its head. This trauma could have potentially resulted in neurological issues, as evidenced by the dog's tongue now hanging out to the side. An employee of the Lowell Humane Society highlighted the concern regarding possible neurological effects, according to WHDH. The machete strike also caused a slight fracture to the dog's skull but did not penetrate further, lending the dog a chance at a full recovery.
The Lowell Police Department received a prior call regarding a man in all black hiding in a doorway with a machete, which led to the identification of Collazo, who subsequently turned himself in. According to court documents, Collazo had been treated at a local hospital for a dog bite two days before the machete attack. He has a history of legal troubles, including charges for assault and battery, plus drug charges as obtained by police reports from 2022 and 2023, detailed by Boston 25 News.
In a statement obtained by NBC Boston, Crystal Arnott, executive director at the Lowell Humane Society, called the incident one of the most traumatic she had ever seen. Despite the grim nature of the attack, the dog, now renamed Danny Trejo, in a nod to the actor known for his tough-guy roles and in reference to his miraculous survival, is said to be "full of energy and making an amazing recovery." The Lowell Humane Society plans to hang onto Danny for now, with the possibility of finding him a new permanent home, as it's unclear who owns the dog.
Reactions from the community highlight a mix of anger and empathy. "It makes me very angry that someone would do that," Noelle Malenfant, a neighbor, told WHDH. "At the same time, you have to understand that we live in a world that’s gotten very sick." For now, despite the ordeal, Danny continues to demonstrate resilience and joy, waiting for his case to be cleared and a chance at a happier life post-recovery.
