14-year-old Massachusetts boy killed by pack of dogs he was tending

BOSTON – A 14-year-old boy Massachusetts boy was mauled to death Thursday night by a pack of dogs that he was tending for a homeowner who was out of town.

A neighbor of the Dighton home found the boy, identified as Ryan Hazel of Rehoboth, unresponsive with "traumatic injuries to various parts of his body," and reported the incident shortly before 8 p.m., Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said.

The neighbor performed CPR, but the injuries were too severe. First-responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

Dighton is outside Providence, Rhode Island, and about 45 miles south of Boston.

Eleven dogs — a combination of Dutch Shepherds and Belgian malinois — were found on the property, four running freely and seven caged up. Each has been taken into custody and must be quarantined for at least 10 days, according to Massachusetts law.

Foul play is not suspected. Quinn did not say what might have prompted the attack and an investigation is underway.

The boy regularly kept care of the dogs on the property, a large tract that included several buildings, according to Quinn. He said the boy's grandmother had dropped him off at around 6 p.m. to take care of animals while the homeowner, 49-year-old Scott Dunmore, was away in Boston.

Ryan's parents were out of state in New York. While he tended to chores and the animals, the grandmother waited in the car, he said.

"She told police that Ryan usually completes his tasks at the property in 30 to 45 minutes," Quinn said. "After more than an hour of time passed by, Ryan's grandmother became concerned about him."

The grandmother called the boy's parents to tell them he had not returned to her car, Quinn said. The parents then called a neighbor to check on Ryan.

When the neighbor located the boy, he put the four dogs running freely into a basement. Quinn said the remaining seven dogs were believed to be caged during the incident.

He said the dogs, which were not licensed in the town, did not appear to be malnourished and described them as typically-sized dogs for their breeds. "They are not small animals."

Dighton Police Chief Robin McDonald said, "Things like that should never happen to anybody, nevermind a 14-year-old boy."

He sent his condolences to the boy's family. "It's a very sad thing."

A full autopsy has not been conducted. State troopers and Dighton police are still investigating the death. Quinn said Dunmore has returned from Boston and has been cooperating with the investigation.

"Although this is an ongoing investigation, it does not appear that any foul play is suspected at this time," Quinn said. "This is clearly a terrible tragedy for the victim, the family, his friends and the town. My heart goes out to all of them."

Dunmore could not be reached for comment.

A man with the name Scott Dunmore describes himself of a professional dog trainer of more than 15 years on a Boston-based website for a company called 3 Dogs Running.

"Whether you're looking to start off on the right foot with a new puppy, are experiencing behavioral or aggression issues in your adult dog, or would like to introduce your dog to a new sport or activity," the website reads, "Scott can offer insight and assistance.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 14-year-old Massachusetts boy killed by pack of dogs he was tending