Pit Bull mauls Detroit infant to death on city's west side

Police block traffic after dog mauls infant on Stahelin Street in west Detroit

DETROIT – A 3-week-old girl was mauled to death by a dog Thursday in west Detroit, police say.

The child was attacked by the dog in the 700 block of Stahelin Avenue near Tireman Street and the Southfield Freeway.

The baby girl was taken to Sinai-Grace Hospital on the city's west side. Police escorted the EMS down 6 Mile Road, blocking traffic and hoping the baby could be saved.

Local 4 has learned the mother had brought the baby to a friend's house in the neighborhood. After being fed, the baby was set down in a car seat on the dining room floor. The dog, who was just fed scraps out the back door, somehow got into the house and attacked the baby while her mother had her back turned.

It mauled the infant's face.

Police are calling it a tragedy. They do not plan to have any charges filed.

The dog, a 2-year-old pit bull, will be euthanized after a rabies test.

Detroit police said the dog was not vicious toward the officers as it was being taken away. The family also claimed the dog was not vicious. They believe it smelled the baby formula on the infant's clothes.

However, neighbor Rose Hill said the dog is well-known in the neighborhood.

"When the puppy goes down there, we go down to get it. They have a pole in their hand to get in the backyard. If the dog is that vicious ... you shouldn't even have the dog, period," said Hill.

Seeing the bloody animal after the deadly attack was just too much for her.

"We see pit bulls everywhere now," she said. "You shouldn't have to be scared to come out of your house and see any kind of dog sitting up there. That's not right, at all."

No arrests have been made. Police have handed the case to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to see if any charges will be filed.

Watch: Detroit police take dog from home after deadly attack on infant


A beware of dog sign is on a driveway fence near the home where the attack took place.


Detroit police said the dog will be euthanized.