WASHINGTON — The pit bull that attacked and killed an 8-month-old in Calvert County Thursday had no prior record of being aggressive, police said Friday.
A pit bull mauled an infant boy in a home on Prancer Court in Lusby, Maryland, just after 1 p.m. Thursday. Calvert County sheriff’s deputies arrived within one minute of the 911 call and saw the dog still attacking the child.
Deputies shot the dog to stop the attack, and determined the child was already dead and beyond medical help. The child was not struck in the shooting, officials said Friday.
The attack was unprovoked and there was no prior record of the dog being aggressive, said the Calvert County Sheriff’s Department. It was being tested for rabies Friday.
No criminal charges are being filed, said the sheriff’s department.
“l want to reemphasize this is a tragic event but no charges are being filed,” Calvert County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
A family friend was caring for the baby and was in the room when the 8-month-old was attacked. The friend tried to stop the dog, but was unsuccessful, according to the sheriff’s department.
The baby was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The family is asking that names not be released “out of respect for the family members that have not yet been notified,” the sheriff’s department said.
The sheriff’s department has provided counseling from the Southern Maryland Regional Team to those impacted by the incident.
