VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A 5-month-old boy died after being attacked by a 130-pound dog in a home near Ormond Beach late Wednesday, according to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
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The scene in the 1700 block of Carolina Avenue, between Interstate 95 and U.S. 1, was still active Thursday morning, the sheriff said.
Deputies responded around 9:49 p.m. Wednesday when it was reported that the infant — who was in the care of his great-grandmother and great-aunt while his parents were out — was found injured in a bedroom with the dog next to him, according to Chitwood.
The infant’s parents returned during the call and took the child to the hospital, where he later died, a news release states.
Chitwood said the dog is a 2-year-old Great Dane mixed breed. Volusia County Animal Services is now in possession of the dog, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff spoke during a news briefing Thursday morning, describing what he called an extremely heartbreaking story.
“We have a young couple that leaves their 5-month-old son (...) in the custody of their great grandmother and great aunt, and they go out to dinner to celebrate mom’s birthday,” Chitwood said. “Great-grandma and great-aunt, 5-month-old’s being a little fussy, they decide to put him into the bedroom...They close the door, and then the great-aunt allows her three dogs out of the cage. They go in the kitchen to make tea and toast, and when they return, they notice that the bedroom door is open, and when the great-grandmother walks in, she sees their biggest dog — which is a Great Dane husky mix, 130 pound, 2-year-old dog — sitting next to (...) the little boy, and he appears to be bleeding and he’s lifeless.”
Chitwood called the ensuing 911 call “horrific,” adding that an investigation is ongoing.
“As (the great-grandmother’s) on the phone with 911, mom and dad come home. They see the little boy, they scoop him up and they rush him to Advent hospital in Daytona Beach, where he is pronounced dead,” Chitwood said. “Animal control was called. They have taken custody of the dog. Obviously there’s a process that goes with that. There’s a 10-day hold on the dog. The family could appeal if they want, and then eventually the dog will be euthanized for that. We’re investigating. This is tragic. Tragic all the way around.”
The sheriff said he assumes the Great Dane was able to open the door on its own, given its size.
The sheriff’s full news briefing can be watched on the website of News4JAX’s partner station, WKMG.