The father of a 1-year-old girl attacked by a family pit bull was forced to kill the animal during the brutal attack this morning, police said. The injuries left the girl with serious- to life-threatening injuries, according to fire officials.
U.S. & World
At approximately 8:54 am the Falmouth Police Department received a 911 call from a residence on Brick Kiln Road reporting that a one-year old girl had been attacked by the family dog. The Falmouth Fire & Rescue Department and the Falmouth Police Department rushed to the residence, and FFRD immediately began treating the child.
She was transported to the Falmouth Hospital by ambulance, and subsequently to a Boston area hospital by Life Flight helicopter.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the child was playing in the kitchen with the father nearby. The family pit-bull terrier attacked the child and bit her in the face causing major trauma. The father immediately attempted to separate the dog from the child, but was unable. He retrieved a pistol from an adjacent room, but when he realized that it was not loaded he grabbed a knife and began stabbing the animal in order to protect the child.
The dog, which the family reportedly owned for five years, was fatally wounded. The preliminary investigation has revealed no known history of violence or aggression.
A family member, who asked not to be identified, said the dog's name was Blue and had been given to the family by relatives in Virginia. Initial reports indicated the child received serious injuries to her nose and eye areas, and had breathing difficulties. The family member reported the child was now breathing on her own. A neighbor added that the dog was well trained.
At this time, the attack appears to have been unprovoked, according to a police news statement. The incident remains under investigation by the Falmouth Police Department with assistance from the Falmouth Department of Marine & Environmental Services, Animal Control Division.
