An officer is recovering after a part of his ear was bitten off while police were responding to a domestic incident.
Police in Chelsea, Massachusetts, say a man bit off part of an officer's ear Friday afternoon.
The incident happened around 2:15 p.m. at the Chelsea Commons apartment building on Shurtleff Street. Police were responding to a domestic incident.
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The man, whose name was not immediately released, became aggressive with the officers, police said.
He "bit off the lower portion" of an officer's ear during the struggle, according to police.
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A stun gun was used on the man, who was taken into custody. Police say he was brought to a hospital for evaluation and will be criminally charged.
"He was tased after he bit the ear," recalled a neighbor, who witnessed part of the incident and did not want to be identified.
"He was tased after he bit the ear," recalled a neighbor, who witnessed part of the incident and did not want to be identified.
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He says the man was arguing inside the building with his wife and stepdaughter when a staff member asked them to leave.
"He put them in his room and said 'F. you, they're not leaving.' She said, 'OK, I'm calling 911.' I walk down the stairs, one cop came up. Next thing you know, three cops came up. Took him out the back door," the neighbor said.
Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton said the officer was treated at the scene before being brought to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries. He is in stable condition.
"This is a stark reminder of the dangers our officers face every day," Houghton said in a statement. "We are grateful that the injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening. Our thoughts are with the officer and their family as they recover."
The neighbor told NBC10 Boston that the man was still acting unruly after the attack.
"Screaming at them, he was saying, 'That's what you get for trying to fight me,'" he said.
