A BABY girl has been mauled to death by her family dog just seconds after her unsuspecting mother turned her back.
The murderous pet lunged at the one-year-old the moment the mom bent over to pick dirty laundry off the ground.
The tragedy unfolded on July 2 at the family’s home in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, about an hour and a half south of Cleveland.
Sheriff’s deputies raced to the property at around 6 pm after the mom told a 911 dispatcher that her baby was dead.
The dispatcher received a call from the mom’s number, but there was no response when they picked up, prompting a callback, according to Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis L. Campbell, as reported by CBS affiliate WOIO.
Upon arrival at the scene, deputies discovered that the pit bull had gripped onto young Blakely Blosser’s neck that evening, resulting in her immediate death.
The attack took place after Blakely’s mom walked into their home with the baby girl.
She turned around inside the house to pick up dirty clothes and bring them to the laundry room when the dog struck.
The sheriff described the attack as “about as terrible of an ordeal as we’ve come across in a long time.”
He said the mom sustained horrific injuries from trying to pry the dog’s jaw off of her baby’s body.
“The mother clearly put up a fight,” Campbell said.
“I’m not sure any of us could imagine doing that.
“I have children, and I can’t imagine a worse nightmare.”
LITTLE GIRL REMEMBERED
The pit bull had been aggressive sometimes toward the family’s other dogs, but was never violent toward people, the sheriff said.
With permission from deputies, Blakely’s dad euthanized the animal the night of the attack.
The little girl has been remembered as a “courageous” baby who had “bright eyes” and an “infectious giggle” in a heartwrenching obituary.
“Her joyful essence shone brightest when she was playing with her brother,” she wrote.
“Their bond was pure and filled with laughter, offering moments of joy that will forever reverberate in the hearts of our family.”
Signs your dog could turn dangerous
Expert advice from Dr. Sara Ochoa, who has been practicing veterinary medicine for over five years.
Ochoa told The U.S. Sun observing a dog’s behavior can provide clues that they might act out.
“A dog that looks tense all over with its fur sticking up or teeth showing is more likely to snap,” she said.
“Staring real hard without blinking could mean trouble too.
“Growling is also a warning the dog is getting mad.”
She said dogs may tuck their tail between their legs when they feel scared or threatened.
“Staying calm and keeping space may help things not to escalate if a dog seems on edge,” she said.
The family said Blakely loved to take tractor rides with her dad, push her pink wagon, play “monkey on the bed,” and meow at the family’s cat.
She would try and stay awake through naps because she “never wanted to miss a moment,” her parents wrote.
Despite living through the tragedy, the family clung to their Christian faith and said they believed “there is life beyond this world.”
“A life where tears are wiped away and all things are made new,” they wrote.
The sheriff said that they do not believe any foul play was involved and described the baby’s death as a tragic accident.
The case will be reviewed by prosecutors, but Campbell did not expect any charges to be filed.
