Preliminary autopsy results indicate the baby died from head trauma caused by a dog attack.
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The mother of an infant mauled and killed by the family dog told Animal Control she was asleep on the couch when the attack on her daughter occurred.
"With the limited information that we have from the mother, she was sleeping beside the bassinet on a couch," said Shannon Barlow, Assistant Director of Amarillo Animal Control. "The dog was sleeping at the foot of the couch, best we know. Somewhere between the time of 3 in the morning and 3:30, the animal took the baby from the bassinet."
"The infant was mortally wounded so the little girl succombed about 9:20 yesterday (Monday) morning," Barlow said.
Preliminary autopsy results, which were received today, indicate the baby died from head trauma caused by a dog attack.
The infant, according to Animal Control, was killed by the family's pet, a pit bull/mastiff mix.
It was early Monday morning when officers were sent to a local hospital after an 11-day-old baby was brought in after being bitten by the dog. The infant was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The incident happened in the 1700 block of South Seminole.
The newborn later died from the injuries of being bitten by the dog, police told Pronews 7.
As for any charges, Amarillo Police said the case looks to be a very unfortunate accident.
"Right now, we are looking at it as a very unfortunate accident," said Lt. Erik Bohannon. "If any other evidence appears that tends to send us in another direction, then we'll look at that. Right now, that's how we're investigating this case."
A full autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday in Lubbock, police said.
The dog was taken into custody and euthanized by Animal Control. Additionally, the dog was tested for rabies, a standard procedure.
