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Family Dogs Fatally Attack 5-Year-Old in Southern California Backyard
2024-12-09
A heart-wrenching incident unfolded on Sunday when a 5-year-old girl met a tragic fate after being attacked by two of her family's dogs in the backyard of their home in Southern California. According to local KABC, the Associated Press, and the local City News Service, the young girl was rushed to a local hospital where she was unfortunately pronounced dead.

Details of the Attack

The two dogs responsible for this dreadful event were a 10-year-old Rottweiler and a 6-year-old Rottweiler mix. As reported by KABC, all four of the family's dogs were promptly removed from the home following the incident. Helicopter footage from the outlet showed the dogs' owners guiding the animals out of the house and into the custody of local authorities. Additionally, footage from the KABC helicopter revealed the dogs behind a fence in the family's backyard. Cameras also captured the distressing scene of a pair of young girls' shoes and clothes scattered about the lawn of the family's Covina, Calif., home, which is located just east of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Sheriff's Department homicide Lt. Steven De Jong informed City News Service that the child had been around the dogs her entire life. The outlet reported that the girl was brutally mauled on the head and torso before her father bravely jumped in and managed to separate her from the dogs.

Previously Unblemished Record

According to KABC, there were no prior incidents involving these dogs until Sunday afternoon's tragic attack. The girl was pronounced dead at the hospital approximately an hour after the attack. Lt. De Jong told City News Service that there is no suspicion of foul play and that the girl's death was a truly unfortunate and tragic accident.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper dog supervision and training. Such events can have a profound impact on families and communities, leaving behind a void that is difficult to fill. It is crucial for pet owners to ensure the safety of their loved ones by being vigilant and responsible when it comes to their furry companions.

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