The Citrus County Sheriff's Office released a photo of the fatally attacking pit bull.
Pit Bull Kills Newborn
Dunnellon, FL - A 5-day old infant is dead after a family pit bull attacked the newborn while lying in her crib. The attack happened on West Ranchetta Street in Dunnellon at about 12:20 am Sunday. Citrus County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to a family member performing CPR on the newborn. A deputy proceeded to take over by performing chest compressions. The infant at that time was still slightly responsive, according to a report obtained by the Citrus County Chronicle Wednesday.
The newborn was airlifted to Bayfront Health Seven Rivers, where she was pronounced dead about 1:40 am Sunday, according to the report.
A female relative in the residence told deputies the pit bull leapt onto the bed, which was next to the bassinet where the infant was lying, and began attacking the infant while she was in a different room, states the report. Citrus County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Lindsay Blair said Wednesday that no criminal charges are expected to be filed in connection to her mauling death. Detectives are still waiting for the medical examiner to determine the official cause and manner of death of the baby.
This newborn's death marks the fourth death of a child due to a dog mauling in Florida this year. 75% of these victims were less than a year old. In May, Liana Valino, 9-months old, was killed by a family pit bull while under the care of her grandmother in Miramar. In July, Jaelah Smith, 6-years old, was killed by a pit bull her family had been dog sitting in Jacksonville. In October, foster baby Khloe Williams, 7-months old, was killed by her babysitter's recently adopted dog in Clearwater.
The last recorded fatal dog mauling in Citrus County occurred in 2014. Christopher Camejo Jr., 2-years old, was killed by his grandfather's rottweilers. The boy was alone when the attack occurred, and was dead when emergency medical responders arrived. The boy was bitten over 200 times by the rottweilers. The boy's family had been staying at the grandfather's home when the dogs attacked. Both parents were later charged with negligence and third-degree murder.
View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Florida Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.Related articles:
10/22/18: 2018 Dog Bite Fatality: Adopted Dog Kills Baby in Foster Care in Clearwater
07/18/18: 2018 Dog Bite Fatality: Child Dies of Injuries from Dog Attack in in Jacksonville
06/07/18: 2018 Dog Bite Fatality: Infant Killed by Family Pit Bull in Miramar, Florida
Yes, this fall has been a hyperphagia with the maulers (reminiscent of December 2017). Almost makes you think of what a bear does before hibrinating.
On another note, I would not be surprised if the parents try to find a way to blame the manufacturer of the crib.
It’s just overwhelming to know that yet another baby has lost her life to a pit bull. Another.💔
Dog fighting is a felony.
It’s a felony to plant land mines or rig a hand grenade to explode upon trespass.
Dogs intentionally made to attack unprovoked and prolonged are worse than hand grenades or land mines as they can move about under their own power.
We need new laws.
One suggestion:
When a dog inflicts severe or fatal injury on another dog, cats away from the dog’s residence, farm animals, or Humans Anywhere, all the dog’s owners, handlers, users should be charged with Felony Animal Neglect And Cruelty.
Immediately remove all dogs from the property or their contact.
Found guilty, they all are banned from any dog contact or ownership for Life.
Signs must be posted “No dogs permitted”
The FBI tracks convicted animal abusers so they could manage the National Registry.
Any dogs later found on the property or in their contact will immediately be confiscated.
Publicized and enforced, this breed neutral affordable law will begin to make more dog owners care to prevent that first attack.
Drastic and Draconian but unfortunately might be what is needed. I like it.
At the pharmacy today I saw a birthday card with a pit bull on it. I thought the pic might be better suited to a sympathy card.
This story is getting coverage in Tucson, Arizona. Link:
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/2018/11/19/day-old-baby-dies-after-family-pit-bull-attacks-her-crib/
Yesterday on the ABC National news there was a story about a pitbull that wandered into a school and attacked a number of children. One of the kids said the dog was friendly at first then suddenly began biting. The point here is that there are breed specific behaviors, and we certainly can make judgements about specific breed behaviors. Border Collies herd, Dachshunds dig etc. Pitbulls have a prey instinct that is very strong and can be keyed in an instinct. The solution: a ban on all commercial and private breeding of pitbulls, mandatory spaying or neutering, and a special assessment to the license fee for pitbull owners.
I cannot articulate how enraged I become when i see these absolute morons woth their baby lying or playing near their pitbull on youtube. The level of arrogance is astounding