BAYTOWN, Texas (KHOU) – A 6-month-old girl is dead after being attacked by a dog in Texas.
The 1-year-old pit bull mix was a family pet, but was new to the home.
Baytown officials say the 6-month-old girl was attacked by the dog inside her family’s apartment.
At least two dogs were taken from the home by animal control. The other dog, also a pit bull mix, was in a kennel when the attack happened.
The child died at the hospital.
“It is definitely very sad. It’s very unfortunate,” Lindsay Kahl, director of training at Revival Dog Training, said.
Kahl says bringing a new dog into a home with kids takes time and strategy.
“It very much depends on the age of the child, but trying to keep interactions minimal and calm at first,” Kahl said.
The calm environment should have a safe space for the dog with a bed or towel, Kahl suggested. Baby gates and crates can also be used to keep babies and dogs separate when unsupervised. The dog can also be left on a leash at home to teach boundaries.
“Supervision is, I would say, definitely the most important thing,” Kahl said.
To ease the transition of bringing home a baby, Kahl says dogs need time to adjust
“Getting the dog used to the baby’s routine before they arrive,” Kahl added.
That means crate training early, introducing baby equipment, like strollers and cribs, and playing baby sounds to acclimate the dogs.
But if pet owners see signs of aggression, Kahl says it may be time to seek professional help.
“Dogs communicate differently than people. They use body language. People rely on words,” Kahl said. “Sometimes there can be misunderstandings and miscommunications that can happen very easily.”
Police took the family’s two dogs into custody. The dog that attacked the child will be euthanized. The fate of the second dog is up to the owner.
As of Wednesday, no arrests were made or charges filed, but police are still investigating.
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