An Adams man died Wednesday afternoon when a good Samaritan intervened in a dog attack.

Adams Police received multiple 911 calls at approximately 12:09 p.m. for a reported mauling in progress at 19 Bellevue Avenue. Responding officers and a K9 Unit found two mature male dogs – both with a history of being aggressive - engaging in a volatile confrontation. The dogs then turned the attack onto responding officers.

Officers used their service weapons to neutralize the animals. The ballistics portion of this incident remains under investigation.

After securing the scene, investigators found the body of one adult with a fatal crossbow injury inside the apartment and an unharmed child in a nearby room.

Investigators currently believe a neighbor heard the commotion, called Police, and then made entry into the apartment. The neighbor got a crossbow and shot at the dogs. The arrow struck one of the dogs, went through a door, and then struck the individual being mauled as he was attempting to barricade himself from the attack.

The early indications are that the death is accidental and the neighbor is cooperating with authorities.

The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Service Section, forensic scientists from the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab, Massachusetts State Police Firearm Identification Section, Adams Animal Control, Adams Police, The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene and will perform a full investigation.

The identity of the victim will be released following the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office identification and notification to the next of kin is made.

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