A Dorchester neighborhood is on edge as residents scour streets and backyards for Biscuit, a small terrier who vanished after a stranger allegedly kicked him into traffic on Dudley Street. The 11-pound dog has not been seen since, and Boston police have arrested a man and charged him with animal cruelty in connection with the incident.
Owner Neomi Nunez told WHDH she was walking Biscuit at about 4 p.m. Wednesday when a man suddenly lashed out.
"He literally just picked up his foot and kicked him," Nunez said, describing how the blow sent the 11-pound dog flying into moving traffic. She said she ran after Biscuit but quickly lost sight of him as he bolted down the street.
"He ran so fast I don't know where he went," Nunez told the station, adding that Biscuit's sister from the same litter has been "depressed" since he disappeared. According to the report, Boston police found a man at the scene who admitted to the act and was subsequently charged with animal cruelty.
Legal consequences
Under Massachusetts law, cruelty to animals is a criminal offense that can bring prison time, fines and other penalties. Under chapter 272, section 77 of the Massachusetts Legislature, a conviction can carry up to seven years in state prison or up to 2.5 years in a house of correction, along with fines of up to $5,000. Repeat offenses can trigger tougher penalties, and courts are also allowed to order forfeiture of animals and prohibit convicted individuals from working with animals.
Local enforcement and context
Boston and Suffolk County have ramped up animal cruelty enforcement in recent years, creating specialized teams and task forces to investigate abuse cases and support prosecutions. The Suffolk County Animal Cruelty Task Force has taken part in several notable local cases. For background on that work, see this report on the Suffolk County animal cruelty task force.
Nunez believes Biscuit may be injured and in need of medical care, and she is pleading for help from anyone who might spot him. She and neighbors have been checking nearby yards, alleys and side streets and handing out information in the area.
"I just want someone to bring him home," she told WHDH, which first reported the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston police, while Nunez continues to canvass Dudley Street and surrounding blocks in hopes of a solid lead.
