REHOBOTH, Mass. (WLNE) — A Rehoboth family was devastated after their pet dog was attacked and killed by another dog.
“Last week around 1 p.m. Friday, I got a call that was my dog was on the street and my husband said he didn’t know if he was alive or not,” Isolina Baptista said.
Terrifying moments recounted just one week after the Baptista family lost their 3-year-old Shih Tzu-poodle mix, Albi, after a pit bull attack on Rocky Hill Road.
“Having this dog next to me was everything,” Baptista said.
The Baptista family said Albi was a form of support for them as he was their late daughter Noemia’s dog.
Noemia died suddenly in 2022.
“I am not looking for a reimbursement,” Pedro Baptista said. “I am looking for justice. That dog attacked and killed Albi.”
Pedro said his cousin, who was visiting from Europe, had been walking Albi the day of the attack.
Rehoboth Animal Control Officer Robert Johnson said the pit bull must have broken through its electric fence and was under a 45-day quarantine.
“It is not a vicious dog,” Johnson said. “It was a terrible situation. The dog cannot leave the owner’s side and it has to be on a leash to go out to the bathroom, otherwise it’s in the house.”
On Friday the Baptista family along with a few others gathered outside of the home of the pit bull, saying they want to protect the rest of the community.
A growing memorial was also set up for Albi where the attack happened.
“I don’t say it was the breed that this happened,” Johnson said. “There was a little dog that was across the street. I don’t know what the dog was thinking; just went right after it. Whether it was a pit bull or a mutt, I think the same outcome could have happened.”
ABC6 News did reach out to the Rehoboth Police Department for a full report but have not yet heard back.
