1-year-old mauled to death: Neighbor says dogs had history of digging themselves out of their yard
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A one-year-old boy died Friday after being mauled by two dogs, according to the Fresno Police Department.
It happened around 11 a.m. on Friday near Kaviland and Fordham.
According to police, the child got out of the house and was in the front yard when two Rottweilers attacked him.
The two dogs lived about a block and a half from where the incident occurred.
Investigators say they dug a hole under the fence, ran through a neighbor's yard, crossed Sunnyside, and somehow ended up in the front yard of the 1-year-old boy.
The boy's grandmother tried to stop the mauling but was bitten by one of the dogs. The grandfather came out and was able to stop the attack by whipping them with a pipe hose.
When police arrived they started to perform CPR on the boy. He was then taken to Community Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Officers captured the dogs and they were taken to Central California SPCA, where they were euthanized later that day.
Theresa Davis says her heart sunk when she saw the dogs' pictures.
"I said, 'oh my god, this is horrendous, these dogs have been in our neighborhood for eight or nine years'."
They live in the home behind her and she says they have a history of digging themselves out.
"Just primarily on the back fence, they've come out the side gate of their property, and recently discovered that hole a couple of days ago."
Animal Control officers say they have no record of complaints on the Rottweiler's owners but Davis says she repeatedly voiced her concerns.
She even placed a trash can to block the dogs' most recent escape path, but it wasn't enough to stop them.
"We have a kennel, put the dogs in the kennel with a padlock...and animal control has been called. I've called them," says Davis.
Action News tried reaching out to the dogs' owners but they were not home.
According to neighbors, they were good people and friendly with everybody.
Neighbors say they are hurting for both families.
"Just thinking about the little boy, the baby losing its life... it's a tragedy. Anybody with a heart would get teary at least," says Arcelia Ruiz, a neighbor.
No criminals charges are pending against the owners.
But the SPCA says they have agreed not to have any dog that is considered dangerous for the next three years.
