EASTPOINTE, Mich. -- An 11-month-old boy was mauled to death by the family's pit bull in Eastpointe Wednesday afternoon.

"He was about to be 1 years old May 3, we were preparing for his first birthday. We now have to prepare for a funeral," the boy's uncle, Terrance Lovejoy, told Local 4.

Lovejoy said the baby was standing on his parent's bed when the family's 5-year-old pit bull, Prince, attacked.

"My nephew was standing and the pit bull came up behind him and just grabbed him," Lovejoy said. "Never growling, never barking, he never gave any indication that there was going to be a problem."

The baby was rushed to St. John's Hospital in Detroit, where he was pronounced dead.

The baby's father shot the dog eight times with a personal pistol. The dog's body will be tested for any disease.

Neighbors said they are extremely sad for the couple, who lost their only child. The baby's family said the couple was married for 17 years before the baby was born, and they called him a miracle.

"They were trying to have a child for that period of time," Lovejoy said. "God blessed them with a child 11 months ago."

Speaking on behalf of his grieving brother and sister-in-law, Lovejoy said the family has a message.

"It doesn't matter how much you think you know that dog, I don't care how much time you've spent with the dog, don't trust them," Lovejoy said. "It was a sneak attack that the dog did on my nephew."

Eastpointe police said the dog was not registered with the city but no compaints have ever been filed by anyone regarding the dog.

Donations can be made to the family at any Chase Bank branch under the "Leonard Lovejoy Jr. Memorial Fund."