A young girl in Texas was mauled to death by the family dog in their backyard just after 5pm last Friday. Police said the family had two dogs in the backyard when one attacked 4-year-old Elayah Brown in their home on Oak Grove Road, Southeast Fort Worth.
According to Dallas News, the 911 call received said the girl was not responsive. First responders who arrived at the home immediately transported the child to Cook Children’s Medical Center and listed her in critical condition. The girl was pronounced dead an hour later.
The dog responsible for the attack is a mixed breed and was taken into custody at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. It was humanely euthanized Saturday morning. The other family dog was not taken away and remains with the family.
Police said the incident is under investigation by the Crimes Against Children Unit. No other information was immediately released.
"Anytime there is a loss of life, it’s a tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and all first responders that responded to this call," said Chief Neil Noakes.
The family has set up a GoFundMe for the little girl's funeral. A amount of $19, 345 has been raised till the time of this writing. "We are all devastated by Elayah’s loss and were not prepared for the high cost of a funeral service. We want to give Elayah the memorial she deserves, to honor her memory and say our last goodbyes," the page said.
In a similar incident in New Jersey last March, a 3-year-old boy was attacked and killed by the neighbor’s dogs while his mother was seriously hurt. The dogs were fatally shot by police at the scene.
That attack happened in the backyard of a New Jersey home after a pair of pitbulls apparently jumped the fence of their residence. While some neighbors in the community said the dogs had never been known to be aggressive others described them as a menace to the community as they were allowed to roam free, The New York Post wrote.
New Jersey mayor Daniel Reiman said that based on municipal records from the Board of Health, the said dogs were not registered with the town as required by law. According to recent reports, New Jersey prosecutors will not bring charges against the owner of two pitbulls.
In a letter written by Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, it came to naught to levy charges in the death of 3-year-old Aziz Ahmed.
“In this case, based upon the information known at this time, it would appear as if no law has been violated. Thus, despite the well-intended demands for justice, no charges will presently be filed,” Ciccone wrote. She added that there was no evidence of “intentional, knowing, or reckless criminal conduct,” on the part of the dog owner.
