Dog sucked up and killed by Bronx street sweeping truck

A Bronx man is devastated after his dog was swept up and killed by a city street sweeper on Thursday morning. The incident occurred at Randall and St. Lawrence avenues in the Soundview section of the borough. Witnesses say the sweeper came speeding down the street, swerving to avoid a speed bump, before yanking the dog, a Boston terrier named Ginger, right out of its leash.

"The animal was like a family member in my house," said Robert Machin, the dog's owner. Machin is completely torn over losing Ginger, and he can't believe how it happened. "Just being dragged into that machinery and killed in that fashion," said Machin.

When Machin broke the news to his mother, Carmen Canizares, he says she nearly collapsed. "You have no idea, you have no idea," she said.



Ginger and her mate, Buster, were both on leashes on the side of the street when the sweeper approached. Witnesses say the vehicle was moving at about 30 or 40 mph, must faster than the 10 mph it's supposed to go, and that the driver was listening to headphones.

"He came so close that he sucked the dog off the leash," said Isamar Maldonado, who saw the horrifying incident. "He was not paying attention, and while you're on duty you're not supposed to [have headphones] on."

Witnesses say they chased the truck for blocks, but when he finally stopped they say he refused to shut down the mechanical broom. The Department of Sanitation issued a statement regarding the incident and said it will investigate.

With news video. Photo from here.