Family dog mauls 6-week-old South Dakota boy to death

The attack took place at a home in Hartford, about 15 miles northwest of Sioux Falls, the Associated Press reported, when the family’s Belgian Malinois bit the infant. (KELO)

A 6-week-old baby in South Dakota has died after being attacked by the family dog.

The attack took place at a home in Hartford, about 15 miles northwest of Sioux Falls, the Associated Press reported, when the family’s Belgian Malinois bit the infant.

First responders arrived at the home soon after the 5:40 p.m. call on Thursday to find the boy suffering from “several bite wounds,” the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement obtained by the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

“They then called for the Care Flight and the child was transported to the hospital where he later died from the injuries,” Sgt. Zachary Cegelske of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department told KELO-TV. “It’s a very sad situation. It’s a very tragic loss for the family and friends.”

The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society took custody of the dog, AP said. Animal control experts said it’s not easy to predict when an animal will turn on you, but that they can increase during holidays, when there are lots of unfamiliar people around and energy is high.

“Any animal can bite,” Sioux Falls Animal Control Lead Officer Milo Hartson told KELO. “Most dogs and cats bite out of fear. They’re just scared of their environment, what’s happening. Nobody knows when an animal will bite, it’s just one of those things, you always have to be careful.”