A babysitter’s dog mauled a baby to death in North Carolina, police said.
The killing happened at a house in Salisbury around 2:30 p.m. on March 5.
Police officers launched an investigation after receiving a call telling them that a baby was being airlifted to a hospital in Winston-Salem after suffering a dog bite, the Salisbury Police Department said in a press release.
Jacari Long, the 6-month-old baby, was at a babysitter’s house when the babysitter walked outside to clean the backseat of her car. When she heard the mother scream she ran inside the house and found the baby boy being attacked by her dog, a boxer/pit bull mix.
Jacari was airlifted to the hospital but soon died from the injuries.
Animal control officers went to the house and took the dog.
“I’m mentally, physically and emotionally broken ... this is too much,” she later added. “I’ve never wanted to ask God as many questions as I have for him right now / today. They say don’t question God but I’ve got some questions.”
Neighbor Lanyah Gaines said the incident left her stunned.
“I’m sorry to the mother and father. It’s sad,” she added. “If my dog ever killed a six-month-old baby I would just put her down.”
Pictures of the dog weren’t available nor were any pictures of Jacari published.
After the death was reported the National Pit Bull Victim Awareness Group said in a statement, “Extensive research has been done emphasizing the dangers of pit bull type dogs and pit bull mixes in relation to infants, children, and seniors.”
“It is clear that attacks on children tend to be spontaneous and occur in opportune moments,” the group added.
Update on Utah Boy Mauled by Dog
A Utah boy lost his right hand after it was reportedly bitten off by a neighbor’s dog over the weekend, according to reports.The boy’s hand and 2 to 3 inches of his forearm were missing after the attack, said Cook.
“[He] was a tough little boy, wasn’t even crying,” Cook told People. “He never even shed a tear in the helicopter.”
When first responders arrived on the scene, they found the boy’s father trying to stop the bleeding.
A helicopter then rushed the child to a hospital in Salt Lake City.
In an updated statement to People magazine, Cook said the dog may have “ingested” the limb. About eight to 10 emergency responders combed the yard to find the boy’s hand but they were not successful in doing so.
Cook said the boy is in stable condition and is surrounded by family in the hospital.
Cook added that the husky hasn’t attacked anyone in the past, and Sunday’s incident was the dog’s “first bite incident.”
“The homeowner says that the dogs are docile pets that have never demonstrated any aggression,” he said.
That husky and another one were taken by Davis County Animal Control, Fox 10 reported, adding that they have both been quarantined.
