Authorities: Rocky Mount toddler mauled by family dog has died

A Rocky Mount toddler attacked by her family's dog a week ago has died, the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

Triniti Harrell had been at UNC Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill since shortly after the attack, which ended when an Edgecombe County deputy shot and killed the dog.

Miranda Harrell and her 1-year-old daughter were playing outside their home last Monday when the family's 6-year-old pit bull attacked Triniti and began thrashing her about, authorities said.

Harrell called 911 and pleaded for help as she fought to get the dog off her child.

"I need some help. My dog is attacking my daughter," Harrell told a 911 dispatcher. "Hurry, she's dying. Please hurry."

The dispatcher instructed her to use a stick to pry the dog's mouth open, to hit the dog on the head with a heavy object and, finally, to use a knife to slit the dog's throat so it would release the child.

A frantic Harrell said all of those options failed, but authorities said she also tried to stab the dog to stop the attack.

"I did all I could," Harrell told WRAL News on Wednesday.

The Davis family, who lives nearby, was at home at the time of the attack.

Sean Davis said he feels guilty he was not able to get to baby Triniti in time.

"I have nightmares. I can hear the baby in my head. I can hear the baby in my head hollering and crying and all that," he said.

Ceniya Horne, who also lives nearby, said she has the Harrell family in her prayers.

"I hope they stay strong, and I'm glad the baby is in a better place now because she's better in heaven than in the hospital struggling for her life," she said.

"I would have done anything for that baby, anything," another neighbor said.

An undercover deputy had to shoot the dog twice, Sheriff Clee Atkinson said, noting the first shot didn't stop the attack.

"It's just one of those incidents," Atkinson said. "They were playing, having a good time, and the dog reacted at some point."

A funeral for Triniti will be held on Nov. 1 at 1:45 p.m. at Joyner's Funeral Home.