5-week-old baby mauled to death at home by family dog in middle of the night: Reports

An infant boy has passed away after the family dog attacked him during the middle of the night.

According to 9News, the incident happened on the NSW Central Coast in Australia, at a home off of Jeffs Close in Kariong. The infant was apparently sleeping when the family dog, an American Staffordshire Terrier, attacked him at around 2:18 a.m.

Brisbane Water Police arrived at the home and began CPR on the infant, until paramedics arrived. However, the infant could not be revived and died at the scene.

“Out of respect for the family, I won’t be drawn on specifics (of what occurred), but suffice to say that our investigators from Brisbane Water PD will be making a full disclosure of the circumstances to the Coroner,” NSW Police’s Superintendent Darryl Thompson.

The Australian reports that Rangers removed the dog from the home and took him to a vet to be euthanized.

“Rangers have taken the dog to a vet and it has been euthanised,” a Rangers spokesperson said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this terrible time. The incident remains a police investigation.”

The Council said this isn’t the first time the dog has been on the attack. Last month, the same dog apparently attacked and killed a smaller dog who walked into the family’s back yard.

“A neighbouring dog apparently got into the rear yard and was mauled by this dog, unfortunately,” District Commander Detective Superintendent Darryl Jobson, of the Brisbane Water Police, said.

A coroner is currently performing an autopsy on the infant but authorities don’t expect any foul play.

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