http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/15/dog.swept.away.ap/index.html
NEW YORK (AP) -- A street-sweeping truck roaring down a Bronx street
sucked up a dog and killed her as her owner held the leash.
Robert Machin said he had just finished walking his two Boston terriers
and was about to put them into his car when the truck appeared Thursday
morning. The retired transit worker said he was suddenly whipped around
and saw one of the dogs, Ginger, being swallowed by the sweeper's round
bristles.
"I went berserk at that moment because I couldn't believe what had
occurred," he said Saturday.
Machin said he yelled at the driver to stop, but the truck kept going.
He and friends chased the truck for 2 ½ blocks before catching up with
it. Ginger's slight body was later pulled from the sweeper.
The city Department of Sanitation called the death "a rare and
unfortunate accident."
A heartbroken Machin questioned whether the driver was observing proper
procedures, saying the truck seemed to barreling through the street at
an unsafe speed.
The heartbroken Machin, 57, choked up as he described losing Ginger.
With his children grown, he said, "These two dogs, they're my life."
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