'It happened out of nowhere': Family friend details five-week-old Mia Jade Riley's death after two rottweilers attacked her as she slept
MORUYA, NEW SOUTH WALES: A newborn lost her life on Saturday, February 18, after two pet rottweilers pounced at her while she slept. As per reports, Mia Jade Riley was inside a bassinet during a family barbecue when the incident happened. Despite the efforts of the family as well as the hospital, the five-week-old baby could not be saved.
The five-week-old baby was at her grandad’s home in Moruya with her parents, and was accompanied by the adults when the dogs, who were around three meters away from her, attacked her, as reported by the Daily Mail. The little one’s father Tom Riley and his wife Lani immediately responded and tried to distract the animals from the child. Other people present at the scene also jumped to help.
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‘There was a considerable amount of blood'
It has been said that the unexpected attack left Mia in a pool of blood before she was rushed to Moruya Hospital, where she was declared dead later. As per a family friend, “Everyone there had to be involved to get the dogs off. There was a considerable amount of blood, it was terrible. There was just no warning. They were just having a family barbecue with the neighbors at the rear of the property and then they turned around the dogs were on her.”
The friend continued, “There were no other kids, the dogs weren't running around and no one was provoking the dogs or anything. They weren't agitated or distressed. It just happened out of nowhere,” before mentioning the Rileys’ other two-year-old daughter, who has been living with the rottweilers since the day she was born.
He noted, “They've done it before, and there have never been any issues before. They have another child who has probably been in the same position or very similar. There's never been an issue. It's really horrible. It's just beyond words.”
‘Really difficult for all the family'
Besides, the friend claimed that the incident has left everyone in the seaside town heartbroken and shocked. He added, “It's really knocked this little community around. There's nothing you can say. It's just that tragic. 'This will be really difficult for all the family to deal with. I spoke to the grandfather and he's just in shock.”
Meanwhile, reports said that Eurobodalla Shire Council has taken away the two canines. However, there is no official confirmation yet if they have been euthanized. Also, a probe into the fatal attack has been initiated by the NSW police.
This comes as a grieving mother from Wales remembered her late son, whose life was taken away by an XL bully dog in November 2021, on his birthday. Jack's mother, Emma Whitfield, reportedly said, “He would be 12. It's harder when events come by that remind us of him. There is always an event or something happening and it's still very difficult. [Jack's younger brother], James is finding it very hard - he's struggling massively. But we just try and take every hour as it comes. We can't change what's happened, can we?”