8-day-old child dies after attacked by pit bull in Kenly

An 8-day-old boy was attacked by a pit bull that had been taken in as a stray by the family just a few days prior to the attack.

Posted 7:35 p.m. Nov 10, 2021 — Updated 9:47 p.m. Nov 12, 2021

Julian Grace & Adam Owens

, WRAL reporters

KENLY, N.C. — A Kenly infant died on Wednesday morning after being attacked by a dog recently taken in by his parents, the chief of police there said.

The 8-day-old boy was attacked by a pit bull that at around 5 a.m., according to Josh Gibson, Kenly's chief of police.

The dog is currently in Johnston County Animal Control custody.

"The dog was rehomed, and the family was familiar with the dog from previous encounters," according to detective Rayne Biggs.

Authorities are still investigating and at this time it is not clear if anyone will be held responsible.

"It is pretty painful to a young baby, the baby had no defense for itself," said Michael Street, a resident of the neighborhood near where the attack happened.

The dog was surrendered to animal services and it is expected to be euthanised, officials said on Friday

More than 300 local dogs deemed dangerous are being monitored by area counties

Other dog bites and attacks

Back in May, also in Johnston County, a 10-month-old baby died after being attacked by two family dogs.

Police determined the father had briefly stepped outside, when the family’s Rottweilers attacked and killed the baby girl.

In September, two dogs were euthanized for an April attack that killed 7-year-old Jayden Henderson in Garner.

The City of Raleigh says that in both June and July of this year police saw 65 reported dog bites, more than in any other time period since January 2019.

In Orange County this year 83 dog bites have been reported.

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the dog was a stray and taken in to the family.

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