On Sunday June 8, 2014, a 2-month-old baby was mauled to death by the family dog. This tragic incident took place in Springfield, Michigan, a city about 30 miles northwest of Detroit. The dog was a 3 ½ year old Catahoula cattle hound and belonged to the family for more than two years.
The newborn was being held by her 18-year-old uncle when the dog made an attempt to jump up on the couch. The uncle pushed the dog away but the dog was successful during a second attempt to jump up on the couch, attacking the baby in the head and neck region. The father of the baby suffered some injuries while trying to pry the dogs jaws off his child.
The infant was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, and died there.
“This is a tragic incident and it is a sad reminder to keep animals away from small children and babies no matter what the circumstances may be,” said Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard in a press release. “Animal behavior, whether intended as playful or territorial, can have a devastating impact on small children.”
It has also been reported that the dog attacked the neighbor several months prior to this incident resulting in a bite to the arm.
The dog is in the custody of the Oakland County Animal Control and will be euthanized.
