Fatal dog attack a ‘true tragedy,’ authorities say

Family’s three canines are removed from Sherman Oaks home after 3-month-old girl is mauled.

Animal control officers have taken custody of three dogs after at least one of them fatally mauled a 3month-old girl in a Sherman Oaks home, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The attack was reported at 3:25 p.m. Saturday in the 14400 block of Benefit Street, and the girl died at a hospital, authorities said. The dogs were family pets, the LAPD said.

“This is a horrible case,” said Capt. Lillian Carranza of the LAPD’s Van Nuys Station. “It has touched all involved family, friends and first responders. Our hearts go out to the family and friends. As I understand, next Sunday would have been the mother’s first Mother’s Day.”

Carranza said the case is a “true tragedy” with no indication of neglect or criminal intent. The family, she said, is distraught.

It is unclear which, or how many, of the dogs attacked the baby.

The dogs at the home were a 98-pound Rottweiler, an 89-pound Labrador and a 10-pound terrier, Carranza said.

A grandmother was baby-sitting and stepped away “for a few seconds” to get the infant’s bottle, Carranza said. The dogs were able to sneak into the room.

The Mayor’s Crisis Response Team has been in contact with the family, and the LAPD is offering resources to them and to those who responded to the home, authorities said.