American Staffordshire Terrier that mauled baby to death is euthanised after rangers were forced to remove the dog from the home
A family dog that mauled a five-week-old baby to death has been euthanised.
The American Staffordshire terrier killed the baby boy in his own home after it escaped the neighbour's yard in Kariong, on the NSW Central Coast, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The pet, which was desexed and registered, was seized by council rangers following the tragedy.
A Central Coast Council spokesperson said it was taken to the vet and put down.
Pictured: First responders at a home on the Central Coast after a baby boy was mauled to death by a staffy
'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this terrible time. The incident remains a police investigation,' they told 7 News.
The vicious attack marked the staffy's second in just a month, after it was revealed the dog mauled a smaller breed that made its way into the yard.
Its owner, who had been holidaying in Noosa, came home to find her beloved pet dead.
The family were undertaking a breed and temperament assessment at the request of the council before their baby was killed.
Police and paramedics who arrived were unable to revive the little boy, and he was declared dead on the scene.
On Sunday afternoon, district commander Detective Superintendent Darryl Jobson described the situation as 'a matter of tragic proportions'.
He all first responders who attended the scene will receiving counselling and support after witnessing the devastating scene.
'Our police did perform first-aid upon arrival. They did their best in the circumstances and they are no doubt shaken by the incident,' he said.
'Anything to do with children of any type, particularly of this nature, is absolutely traumatic.'
The boy's parents were at home when their son was attacked by the dog and were treated for shock.
More to come
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