In a shocking incident, a five-month-old baby girl was killed by a family pet dog in Cidade Ocidental, Goiás, Brazil on June 4, 2024. The infant, Isis da Silva Sobrinho, was left alone for about an hour on a sofa at her grandparents’ residence while her parents were out shopping for a family barbecue.
Local media reports suggest that the tragic incident took place while Isis was sleeping. The parents, who have not been named, were charged with unintentional manslaughter and were later released on a bail amount of roughly $263.
The infant’s uncle, busy preparing for the family barbecue in the backyard, reported to the police that he was unaware that Isis had been left alone. He saw the father leave and assumed the mother was inside with the child. Upon hearing Isis crying, he did not suspect anything amiss, thinking she was with her mother. The horrifying scene was discovered later, leading him to rush the child to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, which included multiple bites and a torn pelvis.
According to the child’s grandmother, who wished to remain unidentified, the dog had been a part of the family for five years and had never shown signs of aggression before. “He was always playful and friendly with everyone,” she said.
Investigators believe the dog may have attacked due to hunger as it hadn’t been fed that day, with no dog food found in the house. The local Civil Police, a state-level investigative department responsible for conducting criminal investigations, is spearheading the ongoing inquiry into this tragic event. The dog was taken to an animal shelter.
Isis’ parents had entrusted her to the uncle’s care while they were shopping, and the grandparents were also away from the home. The family dog, who was kept behind a fence, was able to get to the infant after finding a hole in the fence.
Local residents were shocked and saddened by the incident. A neighbor, who requested anonymity, said, “The family is well-known and liked in the community. We can’t imagine what they are going through.”
This tragic incident has ignited conversations concerning the responsibilities of pet owners and necessary precautions when animals are around children. It highlights the importance of providing pets with adequate nutrition and maintaining secure confinement, particularly in homes with young children.
