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A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, October 8, when a one-month-old baby was fatally bitten by a family dog in Torrance, California, according to the Torrance Police Department. The fatal attack took place at a residence on Martha Avenue, located approximately 20 miles south of Los Angeles.
At around 12:34 p.m., police received a call reporting an animal bite at the home. When the Torrance Fire Department arrived on the scene, they discovered that the family dog had bitten the infant. The child was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Unfortunately, despite efforts to save the baby, the child succumbed to the injuries. Police confirmed the heartbreaking news after speaking with the parents at the hospital. The infant’s identity has not yet been disclosed by authorities.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is currently investigating the official cause of death. In the meantime, Torrance police returned to the family’s home to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Torrance Animal Control responded to the scene and took custody of the dog involved in the attack, although officials have not revealed the breed of the dog.
Family friend Faye Tohiti expressed her sorrow and shock at the tragedy, telling NBC 4, “I can’t even imagine how the mother feels right now. She must be devastated.” Tohiti also told ABC 7, “They’re good people. They just didn’t pay attention to what they should’ve paid attention to, which is really a tragedy. It’s really sad.”
As an experienced dog owner herself, Tahiti emphasized the importance of caution in situations involving large dogs and young children. “I’m a dog person myself, and I have a dog at home, but the matter is that you don’t bring your infant to an atmosphere that has so many big dogs around. And it was wrong to begin with,” she said.
The investigation is ongoing, and the police are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. They can contact the Torrance Police Department at 310-328-3456 for any leads or details that might assist in understanding the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.
This tragic occurrence serves as a reminder of the risks involved in having pets around very young children, especially in unsupervised or unsafe environments.
