Michigan Newborn Dies After Being Mauled by Family Dog

A Michigan family is grieving the loss of a newborn after the infant was mauled by a family dog inside their Novi home.

Details of the Incident

Authorities in Novi say the 5-day-old baby girl was attacked Tuesday morning (March 17) while family members were present. It’s unclear how close those inside the home were to the infant at the time. The baby’s grandmother, identified only as Ellyn, told Detroit’s WJBK-TV that other children live in the home and there had been no previous incidents involving the dog.

"He came out briefly and told me the bassinet was there and the baby was asleep in it, and the dog, who had been raised around other kids, for some reason knocked the bassinet over and killed the baby before they could get to her," Ellyn told the news outlet after speaking with her son.

Location and Timeline

Authorities and family members have not disclosed the dog's breed. WDIV-TV reported late Tuesday that the dog had been put down.

The incident occurred early Tuesday at the Oakland Glens Trailer Park off 13 Mile Road. Police were called to the residence after a family member discovered the baby girl with puncture wounds consistent with a dog attack.

Pet Safety Tips for Families

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers tips for families when bringing a new baby into a home with a pet. You can view those resources here.

Our thoughts are with this family as they cope with the devastating loss of their newborn, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them during this unimaginable tragedy.