Detroit boy, 4, mauled to death by 60lb pit bull despite mother trying to stop attack by stabbing dog
A pit bull that weighed 60 lbs mauled a four-year-old child to death despite the boy's mother doing her best to stop the attack by stabbing the dog.
The child has been identified by the family as Benjamin Cobb who was pronounced dead on Tuesday night after sustaining serious injuries to the neck and body in the attack. The horrific incident took place in Hazel Park in the north of Detroit.
At around 6.45 pm Cobb's sister, 14, called 911 to report that her mother was trying to fend off the pit bull from attacking her brother in their home located in East Woodruff Avenue. According to The Detroit News, the authorities shared that the mother, 38, even cut the animal with a knife to stop the dog, but it continued to attack the child.
Officers had to use stun guns to free the child from the dog, which was later euthanized. The family released a statement on Wednesday revealing that they had taken in the dog "as a kind gesture to help a friend in need".
They also added that the pit bull had not shown any aggressive behavior prior to the incident. The statement continued, "This has taken an unimaginable toll on our family, friends, and all those who knew our sweet boy".
Officials shared, "A preliminary finding appears that this case was a tragic incident and the investigation continues to determine why the dog attacked the boy."
"The Hazel Park Police Department extends its sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased," the officials added. The family of the victim has set up a GoFundMe page in order to raise money for the funeral expenses.
The recent attack follows another attack three months ago where a nine-year-old child Emma Hernandez was mauled to death by a pit bull in Detroit while riding her bike.