Thursday, April 25, 2013

family dog kills 2-year old

UNION CITY, Ga. — A family dog who had never shown aggression before attacked and killed a 2-year-old boy Wednesday in a subdivision about 15 miles south of Atlanta, police said.

The mother, Angela Rutledge, and her child were at home with their pit bull at about 1:30 p.m., investigators said. She told investigator that she left the room for a moment to go to the bathroom, but when she returned it was clear that the dog had attacked her son, killing him before she could call 911 for aid.

First responders were able to corral the dog in the bathroom until Animal Control officers arrived. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Clearly, they were rattled when they came out from what they saw," said Detective Melissa Parker of the Fulton County Police Department. "Some were in tears."

The grief-stricken Rutledge was taken to the hospital; her husband, Jermiah Rutledge, was subdued with a Taser after he came home and also became hysterical, police said.

The dog was taken to the Fulton County Animal Shelter, where it is being evaluated in isolation. Officers were not certain if the dog would be killed.

Police said Wednesday that no crime had been committed, and no charges had been filed as of Thursday.

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Tragic.  Another strike against pitbulls and the bully breeds.  But I'd say this is very rare.  And it was likely that there were warning signs that were not recognized or ignored.

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I wonder if this article was written in reaction.

dogs, children, and safety

*** [5/11/13]

When dogs attack

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