Rocco, the bullmastiff currently being held in the city kennel, may yet be spared from being euthanized, depending on a forthcoming court ruling.

By David R. Smith

The fate of a dog ordered euthanized after biting a man Oct. 31 will soon be decided following an appeal hearing at Somerville District Court Jan. 8.

Rocco, a 6-year-old bullmastiff, has been held at the city kennel since the Halloween-night incident.

According to police, the victim, a Somerville resident, was walking his 4-year-old German shepherd on Calvin Street around 7:30 that evening when Rocco bolted from the doorway of his home at 38 Calvin, attacking the shepherd and then the owner when he attempted to intervene.

The dog suffered multiple injuries and needed veterinary care. The man suffered severe bites on both hands and spent five nights at Cambridge City Hospital, where he underwent surgery to repair the damage.

Somerville Animal Control Officer April Terrio initially ordered the dog to remain under home quarantine with his owner, Rose Walsh. Terrio forwarded her report to Somerville police with a petition for a public hearing and a recommendation that the dog be euthanized.

Rocco was not licensed with the city. He was removed from Walsh’s home and quarantined at the city kennel, where he has been since.

Following a Nov. 14 public hearing, Rocco was deemed a “dangerous dog” based on the “viciousness and unprovoked nature of the attack.”

Walsh appealed the decision to euthanize Rocco to the Somerville District Court.

Rocco’s case has generated strong emotions on both sides. A now-closed petition at change.org to spare Rocco and give him a second chance generated over 3,000 digital signatures.

Material from a report by Elizabeth Sheeran was used in this story.