Overview
- Tullahoma police responding Wednesday found pit bulls actively mauling the infant and killed the attacking dogs, but both victims were already deceased.
- The victims were identified as James Alexander Smith, 50, and his 3-month-old granddaughter at a home roughly 75 miles southeast of Nashville.
- The district attorney’s office said it remains unclear if the mauling caused the deaths or occurred postmortem, and no charging decision has been made.
- Animal control seized other dogs from the residence; while officials have not confirmed ownership or total number, local outlets reported a pack of seven pit bulls lived there.
- Neighbors reported prior escapes and attacks on pets, and investigators are reviewing the dogs’ history and any past child-welfare involvement as the family raises funds after reporting the loss of their home.