Louisiana: Girl, 7, bitten to death by neighbor’s dog who ran into her yard
A man has been arrested after his dog attacked and killed a 7-year-old girl who was playing outside a family member’s home.
Sadie Davila was killed in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Friday night. She was visiting a family member in the neighborhood when she went outside to play in the front yard.
While Davila was playing, a neighbor’s pit bull began brutally attacking her. A family member tried to fend off the dog with a walking stick, but to no avail.
The dog’s owner, Erick Lopez, 20, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. He informed arresting officers that he was not home at the time of the attack and allowed him to roam freely in the neighborhood.
Lopez lives about 150 yards from Davila’s relatives, with no fence or barrier separating the properties. Other neighbors confirmed to the police that the dog was often allowed to roam free.
Davila was immediately rushed to hospital and treated for bites to her face and “significant” damage to her skull. She died later that night from her wounds.
East Baton Rouge Animal Control managed to capture the dog after the attack. They reported that the victim’s mouth and face were still covered in blood. In addition, they reported that “significant” amounts of blood were seen at the scene of the attack.
East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux called the incident a “horrifying, heartbreaking tragedy.”
“My heart goes out to this family and they will remain in my prayers,” the sheriff said.
Davila was a first grade student at Woodlawn Elementary School in Baton Rouge. Her teacher, Grace Feucht, told the Advocate she was “fierce and brave.”
“It was a gift for me and often made me smile and laugh,” said Feucht. “Unfortunately, without her precious presence, I expect our classroom to feel a lot emptier on Monday.”
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https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/09/louisiana-girl-7-mauled-to-death-by-neighbors-dog-that-ran-into-her-yard-18068669/ Louisiana: Girl, 7, bitten to death by neighbor's dog who ran into her yard