Child Dies After Pit Bull Attack in Rio’s Irajá

Overview

• The attack happened at a residence on Avenida Monsenhor Félix in Irajá while the child visited with the mother, and police say the pit bull belonged to the homeowner’s son-in-law.
• The child was taken to Hospital Municipal Francisco da Silva Telles in grave condition and went into cardiorespiratory arrest during emergency care, according to the city health department.
• Municipal animal-protection officials seized the pit bull, identified as Enrico and about seven months old, and sent it to the city zoonosis center for quarantine, castration and microchipping.
• The case was registered at the 27th Police Station, which plans to hear the dog’s tutor, the child’s mother and other witnesses to determine circumstances and responsibility.
• Rio de Janeiro state law regulates so-called ferocious breeds by mandating sterilization, registration, muzzles and adult handling, and it holds tutors liable for damages with potential civil, criminal and administrative penalties.