14-year-old killed in apparent dog mauling in Dighton

DIGHTON, Mass. — A 14-year-old boy was killed in an apparent dog mauling Thursday in Dighton, officials said.

Police say around 8 p.m. Thursday, a neighbor called 911 to report they found a dead teenager on Maple Swamp Road.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn's office says the teen is a 14-year-old male from neighboring Rehoboth. He called said the incident appeared to be a "terrible tragedy."

Fatal dog attack appears to be 'terrible tragedy,' DA says >>

His name has not been released but he was identified as a student in the Community Health program at the Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School District, school superintendent Alexandre Magalhaes said in a news release.

Boston 25 News spoke with the owner of the property, Scott Dunmore, who called the situation heartbreaking, and said he wasn't at the property when it happened and couldn't comment further on the incident due to the investigation. He said his only concern, right now, is for the teen's family.

The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District Superintendent, Anthony Azar, said in an email to students that crisis teams would be at all schools Friday.

The district attorney's office said the dogs were taken by animal control, but it's unclear how many dogs were taken or are believed to be involved in the mauling. Two dogs were seen in the back of a van Thursday night.

Foul play is not suspected, officials said and an investigation is ongoing.

The DA's office said they will hold a news conference at 12:30.

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