3 dogs maul 1-year-old to death as babysitter tries to pull them off, Duncanville police say
A 1-year-old boy was killed by three dogs that attacked him Monday morning in Duncanville, according to police.
Officers were called to a home in the 1500 block of Lime Leaf Lane and, along with paramedics, began attempting life-saving measures on the unconscious child. Police provided an emergency escort as the child was transported to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The three dogs, each weighing about 80 pounds, were taken by Duncanville Animal Control, which were found confined in a house, according to police. Investigators have evidence to believe all three dogs were involved in the attack.
Duncanville Police Chief Matthew Stogner said at a news conference Monday that the owner of the home was babysitting the 1-year-old boy when the attack happened. There were three other children in the home, none of whom were harmed.
The woman attempted to pull the three dogs off the boy but was unable to, Stogner said. She was injured while trying to get the dogs off the child.
Investigators are looking into whether the woman, the only adult in the house, was running an unlicensed day care or if she was just babysitting for friends.
Stogner said that the investigation is ongoing and criminal charges may be filed as a result of the attack. The dogs will eventually be euthanized, which is common practice when an animal attacks, and especially kills, a person.
The boy’s identity will be released by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office after next-of-kin has been notified.
This story was originally published April 15, 2024 at 7:46 PM.