All four of the Newfoundland dogs allegedly involved in Tuesday’s mauling death of a Labrador mix at Jackson Cove Park are under control of the local animal control officer, officials said.
“They are at an undisclosed location, in custody of Oxford Animal Control,” said Sgt. Daniel Semosky, the Resident State Trooper supervisor.
Four large dogs belonging to a family that lives on Jackson Cove Road attacked a smaller dog at the park on July 26. The smaller dog died. The smaller dog’s owner, a 20-year-old, part-time park worker, was bitten trying to stop the melee.
Two of the four large dogs were taken into custody by town officials. However, the other two dogs were not.
The two missing dogs caused Debra Gatto, director of the town’s Parks and Recreation Department, to close the park Tuesday and Wednesday as a precaution.
However, town officials took custody of the two missing dogs at their owner’s home late Wednesday, prompting Gatto to open the park Thursday.
“All I wanted to know is that the dogs are secure,” Gatto said. “I have been advised there are no more Newfies at the house, that the dogs are secure.”
Police Thursday were still hesitant to go into details about the incident, saying it is under investigation.
Oxford police were at Jackson Cove Thursday afternoon interviewing park employees about the attack, which Gatto said was captured on video.
According to Gatto, the four Newfoundlands were being walked by what appeared to be four adolescents. The dogs got loose and attacked the smaller dog.
The owner of the Newfoundlands did not return calls for comment Wednesday or Thursday.
