Off-leash Dogs in Foss Park Threatened with a Gun

Somerville Police Chief Anthony Holloway confirmed today that a man walking a small dog on leash in Foss Park on Tuesday morning pulled out a handgun and threatened to shoot two large off-leash dogs. The man had a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Permits to carry a concealed weapon are issued by the town of the individual's residence. Chief Holloway is contacting the Chief of Police in the town where the individual lives and is asking that the permit be revoked.

The Chief emphasized that, along with Mayor Curtatone, he wants Somerville to be a safe place to live, work and play: He is not going to tolerate people pulling out their guns in our town. He said, if the person were a Somerville resident, he would already have had the permit revoked.

Chief Holloway also advised me that the Police and Animal Control Departments will be stepping up enforcement of the leash law in Somerville and issuing citations.

The owner of the off-leash dogs has described the incident on the discussion group for the Middlesex Fells Dog Owners Group (FellsDOG).

Saxton J. Foss Park is located on McGrath Highway at Broadway. The park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Dogs must be on leash in the park.