Kentucky three-year-old mauled to death by family's two Rottweilers in their home's backyard
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: A family is in mourning after a young boy was mauled to death by two family dogs in the Newburg neighborhood in Louisville.
The attack on three-year-old Steven unfolded shortly before 9 am in 4800 Block of Brenda Drive, a subdivision behind Thomas Jefferson Middle School, according to WDRB.
The Louisville Metro Police Department said Steven was attacked in the backyard of his home by two Rottweilers that were owned by the family after he got out through an open window. Neighbors revealed that both dogs had not been staying inside the home for a very long time and usually stayed fenced in in the backyard.
Emergency Medical Services was dispatched to the location, but no one was transported to the hospital. Steven was declared dead at the scene. The two Rottweilers were immediately removed from the home by Louisville Metro Animal Services, who said that the dogs would be quarantined at a shelter for a mandatory 10 days before they are euthanized.
Speaking about the incident, LMPD spokesman Dwight Mitchell said, "It's a very devastating thing that's happened here, and obviously, our prayers go out to the family of this child."
Neighbors were similarly shaken up by the death. "It breaks everybody's hearts when you see all the family out here," said Briana Dillon, who is friends with Steven's aunt. "It breaks people's hearts, even the people that don't know the family. It's very devastating for a child to lose their life."
Sylvia Turner, who lives nearby, described the three-year-old as a "beautiful little boy" who was playful and energetic. "Great spirit. He was fun, and he always waved. His little sister and him got to say 'Hi neighbors!' So whenever they see us, that's what they would say," she said.
"All you mothers out there — mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, anybody out there that's got these wild dogs that you don't think will ever touch your child — please think again," said Turner's sister, Sherri. "You can't take that back. You can't."
The LMPD Homicide Unit is currently investigating the death, but officials have said they do not expect charges to be filed in connection to the incident.