A 2-year-old Texas girl died earlier this month after the family dog reportedly mauled her outside her home.
In a press release obtained by The Alvin Sun & Advertiser, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office said the family had returned home at around 5 p.m. on October 12 and Denali Gonzalez went outside to play with the dog. It was shortly later when someone reportedly discovered the toddler had been brutally mauled by the family dog.
Gonzalez was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene. A GoFundMe made to cover the toddler’s funeral expenses said she died in her mother’s arms.
The Houston Chronicle reported that the dog is a mix of a leopard cur, a breed of hunting hound. A relative told KTRK that the family was planning to get rid of the dog because it was too aggressive. The dog has since been euthanized and will be tested for rabies, per protocol.
Lieutenant Varon Snelgrove said the dog’s jaw locked on the 2-year-old’s torso and throat. He went on to call the incident a “tragic accident” and said no charges are expected to be filed.
“It’s a terrible incident where the family dog attacked a 2-year-old. We have no idea why,” Sheriff Charles Wagner said, according to The Chronicle. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had anything like this happen. It’s a tragedy for all involved.”
[Featured Image: Denali Gonzalez/GoFundMe]