A six-year-old boy was attacked and killed by the family dog on July 4 in North Port, Florida.
According to experts, the dog, a three-year-old pit bull mix, had no previous history of aggression, leading them to speculate that the animal may have been frightened by fireworks.
The incident took place at the boy’s home in North Port. As the child entered a bedroom, the dog suddenly bit him on the chest and head, prompting immediate action from those nearby who heard the screams.
The injured boy was airlifted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and later transferred to Tampa General. However, he succumbed to his injuries despite medical intervention.
Reports indicate that the boy and the dog lived together in the same household.
While the police have yet to confirm if fireworks spooked the dog, Michael Groleau of the Suncoast Humane Society agreed that the dog may have been under significant distress. Groleau emphasized, “Things are happening in the environment that are stressing the dog out and the dog can’t tell you or show you what’s wrong, so the dog’s going to use its mouth.”
Sarasota County Animal Services has taken custody of the dog involved in the attack as investigations continue into the incident.
