“My Worst Nightmare”: 86-Year-Old Man Mauled by Three Off-Leash Dogs During Morning Walk as Owners Allegedly Flee the Scene

What began as a peaceful morning stroll turned into a terrifying fight for survival for an 86-year-old Massachusetts man who says he was suddenly attacked by three off-leash dogs near his senior living community.

Michael Roberts was walking along a trail near the NewBridge on the Charles senior community in Dedham on the morning of June 18 when, without warning, two white dogs and a boxer allegedly charged at him. Within seconds, Roberts was knocked to the ground and desperately trying to protect himself from the animals.

“I was stunned to say the least because it was really terrifying,” Roberts recalled afterward. “To be knocked down by a big dog and then be bitten is my worst nightmare.”

Authorities say the dogs were not leashed and were accompanied by three women believed to be in their 20s or 30s. Instead of remaining at the scene after the attack, investigators allege the women gathered the dogs and quickly left, leaving the elderly victim injured on the ground.

Roberts suffered multiple bite wounds, including a serious injury to his arm. Doctors treated him at a nearby hospital, where he learned he may need rabies vaccinations if officials cannot verify the animals’ vaccination status. Fortunately, physicians believe his thick orange jacket may have protected him from direct saliva exposure.

The injuries were painful, but Roberts says the emotional trauma may linger even longer.

“Two were scrapes that broke the skin and bled, and the third was more of a puncture wound,” he explained, still shaken days after the ordeal.

Now, Dedham Animal Control is urgently asking the public for help identifying the dogs and their owners. Surveillance footage from the area is being reviewed, and officials are urging anyone who frequently walks the trail or recognizes the dogs to come forward.

“We strongly encourage those responsible for this incident to do the right thing and come forward,” animal control officials said in a public statement.

The case has reignited debate about leash laws and owner responsibility, especially after several recent incidents across the U.S. involving off-leash dogs attacking people and pets. Community members have increasingly voiced concerns that many owners ignore leash requirements, creating dangerous situations that can escalate in seconds.

For Roberts, however, the discussion is deeply personal.

A routine morning walk — something he had likely done countless times before — ended with injuries, fear, and unanswered questions.

And somewhere in Dedham, authorities say, the three dogs and the women who allegedly walked away after the attack are still being sought.