#Family’s pet dog fatally mauls infant boy in South Dakota

“#Family’s pet dog fatally mauls infant boy in South Dakota”

June 15, 2020 | 8:30am

A 6-week-old South Dakota boy was mauled to death by his family’s pet dog, according to a new report.

The dog, a Belgian Malinois, bit the infant several times Thursday night in Hartford, about 10 miles west of Sioux Falls, Keloland News reported.

He was airlifted to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries, Sgt. Zachary Cegelske of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department told the outlet.

“It’s a very sad situation,” Cegelske said. “It’s a very tragic loss for the family and friends.”

The sheriff’s department is probing what prompted the attack, and the dog has been transferred to the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society during the investigation.

“Most dogs and cats bite out of fear,” Sioux Falls Animal Control Lead Officer Milo Hartson told the outlet. “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.”