Newborn killed by family dogs after mother leaves her on couch

A 3-day-old baby was attacked and killed by two family dogs in Fresno on Monday after her mother left her alone on a couch, authorities say.

The infant’s mother believed the dogs, both believed to be a mix of Shar-Pei and pit bull, were chained up in the backyard and left the door open to cool the house, police told The Fresno Bee.

The baby was attacked about 12:30 a.m. Monday and died a short time later at a local hospital.

The unidentified 33-year-old mother told authorities she left the child on the couch and “walked away for a few seconds,” the Bee said.

“She left the door open because it was hot and she thought the dogs were tied up,” Sgt. Dan Macias told the Bee.

The two male dogs are owned by the woman’s brother, who turned them over to the Central California Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. SPCA spokesman Walter Salvari says the dogs will be euthanized.

This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 8:51 AM with the headline "Newborn killed by family dogs after mother leaves her on couch."