Spencer the Boston Marathon dog honored with statue on marathon route in Massachusetts
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Spencer the Boston Marathon dog honored with statue on marathon route in Massachusetts
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BOSTON – A fluffy pile of golden retrievers took over the Boston Common in memory of a special dog that inspired marathon runners and those fighting cancer. The “Golden Strong” meetup on Sunday paid tribute to Spencer the dog as well as his niece Penny; both died within weeks of each other from cancer in 2023.
Organizers said hundreds of golden retrievers and their owners turned out for the event, which raised money for canine cancer research.
Marathon runner Robin Gialanella (R) of New Jersey pets a golden retriever during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup” in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 14, 2024, one the eve of the Boston Marathon.
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
Remembering Spencer the Boston Marathon dog
Spencer was one of the biggest cheerleaders for marathon runners every year, holding a “Boston Strong” flag in his mouth along the course route in Ashland. Spectators would line up to take pictures with him. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he was named the official dog of the 126th Boston Marathon by race organizers.
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“Spencer totally understood what he was doing and he knew he made a difference and he enjoyed doing it,” his owner Rich Powers said.
Spencer at the unveiling of his portrait in Boston
Spencer was a therapy dog who visited schools and hospitals, and became a symbol of hope for others battling cancer. A statue of Spencer was just unveiled in Ashland last month.
Photos of golden retrievers on Boston Common
The dogs participating in Sunday’s event wore “Golden Strong” bandanas sold by MA Golden Meetups, with 20% of their sales going to research on cancer in golden retrievers.
Golden retrievers and their owners gather together during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup” in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 14, 2024, one the eve of the Boston Marathon.
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
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The goldens and their owners took advantage of the nice day with a walk around the Common.
Golden retrievers are walked by their owners during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup” in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 14, 2024, one the eve of the Boston Marathon.
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
There was plenty of petting and treats for the “good boys.”
Jeff Harrison offers treats to golden retrievers during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup.”
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JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
The walk went right by the Massachusetts State House.
Golden retrievers are walked by their owners during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup” in Boston, Massachusetts.
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
The happy pups and their humans all posed for a group photo on the Common.
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Golden retrievers and their owners gather for a group photo during the “Boston Marathon Golden Retriever Meetup.”
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
Neal Riley
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Neal J. Riley is a digital producer for CBS Boston. He has been with WBZ-TV since 2014. His work has appeared in The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Chronicle. Neal is a graduate of Boston University.
ALLSTON, MASS. (WHDH) – Boston police are searching for a gunman who opened fire in Allston Thursday and left one person hurt.
Police responded to a radio call for a person shot in the area of Brighton Avenue at approximately 6:46 p.m. When officers arrived, they said they found a male “juvenile” suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim’s age has not been released.
Boston police said the shooter fled the scene and remains at large. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston police.
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This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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A State Police trooper who was allegedly found “slumped over” in his car at around 5 a.m. in the South End with an open container of High Noon vodka has been “relieved of duty.”
Mass State Police confirmed to the Herald Wednesday night that Trooper Donovan Preston, 31, arrested for alleged drunken driving in Boston this past weekend, “has been relieved of duty.” Preston’s base pay is listed as $80,213.
A Boston Police report states that police arrived at Herald Street on Saturday to see Preston “stopped in lane 2 of the road” with his brake lights on. The suspect was slumped over “with his eyes closed,” the report adds.
“The officer observed that the car was on and in drive. The officer observed an open container of alcohol (High Noon) in the cupholder,” according to the report. The BPD officer then knocked on the window “for approximately 10 seconds before the suspect lifted his head up.”
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Once he picked his head up, police said he appeared “confused and he looked around. The suspect’s vehicle began to roll to which the officer announced, ‘Boston Police. Open the Door.’ ”
Preston stopped on the three-lane, outbound road with his black BMW in the middle of two lanes.
A State Police spokesman said in an email: “Trooper Donovan Preston was relieved of duty and will be subject to a department discipline process.” All other comments were directed toward the police report.
That report, provided to the Herald Wednesday night, added that State Police were notified after Preston’s arrest.
The can of High Noon was logged into the evidence book.
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This latest OUI case comes as State Police Sgt. Scott Quigley is being investigated in an alleged drunken driving fatal crash in Woburn in 2023 that killed a disabled passenger in a van.
In the Quigley case, his blood alcohol level reportedly tested at a .114 at the hospital following the crash (the legal limit is .08). That detail came out in a wrongful death suit filed by the victim Angelo Schettino’s family.
‘Unless he’s s###-faced, I’m not worried’: Mass State Police dash cam catches aftermath of deadly cruiser crash [+video]
The smashed van at the Woburn crash scene. (MSP body camera video screengrab)
