Grandmother charged with murder after toddler mauled to death by pitbulls
A 70-year-old woman has been charged with murder after her 20-month-old grandson was mauled to death by two pitbulls at her home.
Sandra Bowers Adams, from the US state of Georgia, attempted to shield the child from further attack and pull the dogs away from the child, local police have said.
The grandmother was able to separate the dogs from the little boy, before his mother picked him up and the pair took the child to an urgent care facility.
Hartwell Police Chief Anthony Davis told 7WSPA the child presented to the facility with several serious bites and tears to his head and neck.
“The child had suffered extensive injuries following an apparent dog attack,” the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said in a statement.
“Medical personnel and EMS determined the child was unresponsive and the child was pronounced dead.”
Adams has been charged with second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children.
The Hart County Sherrif said the dogs would be observed for the next 24 to 48 hours before being euthanised.
Adams had been cited on multiple occasions by the Hartwell Police Department under a city ordinance maintaining disorderly animals, the GBI confirmed.
An autopsy on the child will be conducted.
The US toddler's death happened the same day as rescue dogs mauled a Perth woman to death.
Sue Lopich Lopicich, aged in her 50s, died on Tuesday after a savage attack by two dogs at a property in Southern River which also serves as a canine boarding kennel.
A bullmastiff cross will be put down on as a result of the fatal Perth attack.
