Woman Who Allegedly Killed Dog at Revere Beach Faces Charges

A 57-year-old Saugus woman will be facing animal cruelty charges after allegedly killing her own dog at Revere Beach on Sunday.

Witnesses at the state-owned beach told police they saw the woman kick her dog before dragging the animal into the water. A lifeguard brought the dog to shore and attempted to perform CPR, but the dog died. According to local reports, the beach was packed with families and young children during the disturbing incident.

Massachusetts State Police said today that the woman, who was not arrested at the scene, will be summonsed to court.

In a media statement, state police said they responded to the beach near the Shirley Avenue Bathhouse shortly after noon Sunday for a report of an injured dog. Troopers found lifeguards and Revere firefighters attempting to resuscitate a small Chihuahua mix who was in severe medical distress. Efforts to save the dog were unsuccessful,  police said.

Troopers interviewed the dog’s co-owner, a 57-year-old Saugus woman, who allegedly said the dog suddenly became stricken and drowned after she took it into the water. After the woman left with the dog’s body, several beach-goers approached police and said they had witnessed the woman violently abuse the dog before it died.

State police, working with the law enforcement division of the Animal Rescue League, on Monday were able to retrieve the dog’s body from the co-owner, a Chelsea man. Police said the investigation into the dog’s death is ongoing at this time.