Photo: yebeka / iStock / Getty Images
Volusia County, FL - A 5-month-old boy tragically died following an alleged dog attack at his great-grandmother’s home near Ormond Beach on Wednesday night.
The incident occurred around 9:49 p.m. in the 1700 block of Carolina Avenue, located between U.S. 1 and Interstate 95.
According to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, the baby was under the care of his great-grandmother and great-aunt while his parents were out for the evening.
Deputies responded to the home after a 911 call was made, reporting that the infant was found injured in a bedroom with a 130-pound Great Dane mix dog nearby.
The baby’s parents arrived at the scene shortly after the call and rushed their son to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The sheriff confirmed the dog involved was a 2-year-old Great Dane mix.
Volusia County Animal Services has taken custody of the dog for further evaluation, and it will remain under a 10-day hold as part of the investigation.
The dog could eventually be euthanized, pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Sheriff Chitwood described the situation as heartbreaking, explaining that the infant was placed in the bedroom, and the door was closed.
The great-aunt let her dogs out of their cages, and when she and the great-grandmother returned to the bedroom, they found the dog next to the boy, who appeared to be bleeding and unresponsive.
The investigation remains ongoing.