Police Investigate Reported Dog Attacks

Farmington police are investigating after receiving a complaint late Thursday afternoon that three large dogs attacked and injured a woman's dog on the Farmington Valley  Greenway rail trail near the Avon line.

"We are quite confident that we will be able to identify dogs and the owner," said Lt. Marshall Porter, of the Farmington Police Department. "It is still under investigation."

Police searched the trail and did not find the owner Thursday, and have not released the identity of the woman who reported the attack. Porter said the attack occurred along the section of the  trail that runs between Brickyard Road in Farmington and Thompson Road in Avon, and police are using GPS to determine whether it was in Farmington or Avon.

While initial reports indicated that the owner of the three dogs was an Avon Old Farms security guard, Farmington police confirmed that this was not the case and said they are working to identify the owner and the dogs.

Porter described the dogs as large, possibly mastiffs.

During the investigation Thursday, police said they interviewed another person in the area who said he had also been attacked by "three dogs" on the trail. Police have not confirmed a connection.

"In the investigation, we did find someone on the trails that said he was attacked by three dogs a week ago," Porter said.

The police are investigating whether charges will be levied.

"Animal statutes are applicable," Porter said of the investigation.

State law (Connecticut General Statute 22-363) penalizes the ownership of vicious or nuisance dogs.  Another statute (Connecticut General Statute 22-357) holds owners responsible for "damage to person or property" caused by their dogs, except in the cases of defense or protection against a trespasser.