Mom Fatally Stabs Pet Pitbull That Mauled Her One-Year-Old Daughter

A California mother stabbed and killed one of tthe family’s pit bulls after the dogs attacked and severely injured her one-year-old daughter and three other family members, a report said.

The shocking attack occurred late Sunday night, April 24, in the Los Angeles County community of Pico Rivera.

The brave mother, Jamie Morales said she stabbed the dog because. "it was either him or my daughter and I chose my daughter".

The girl’s grandmother, Margaret Ann Morales, said she was asleep in her bedroom when she was awoken by the sound of a family member screaming.

"I walked into the kitchen and that's when I (saw)...my two daughters and my son on the floor trying to get the dogs off. Finally my daughter got up...and that's when I (saw) my granddaughter. I (saw) the dog was latched on her left leg. That's when I had to actually get my hand into his jaws and open them up and that's when he released her," Margaret told ABC-TV Channel 7.

"Finally my daughter got up … and that’s when I [saw] my granddaughter. I [saw] the dog was latched on her left leg. That’s when I had to actually get my hand into his jaws and open them up and that’s when he released her," she added.

The girl, identified by her family as Ruby Cervantes, was rushed to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center with multiple injuries including, a fractured hip and bites to her left leg, shoulder and ear.

Jamie, Margaret and another family member were also taken to hospitals for treatment.

Jamie, who was bit on her lip and near her eye, said Ruby was undergoing surgery and is expected to survive.

Animal control officers have removed the dogs.

Pico Rivera Mayor Monica Sanchez said she was "horrified and dismayed at the news of the unprovoked attack on a one year child by a family’s pit bulls".

"I’d like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and best wishes for a swift recovery for the child and injured members of the family," Sanchez wrote in a statement.