A newborn girl was killed in Michigan after she was left alone with a stray dog that her family had recently taken in, authorities and her grieving grandmother said.
The 5-day-old girl, whose name has not been released, suffered multiple puncture wounds when a mixed-breed dog attacked her in the family’s home in Novi, near Detroit, on Tuesday morning, police reported.
“That baby should never have been left alone,” said Linda French, the girl’s grandmother, speaking to WXYZ. “I never even got to meet my new granddaughter. I’m just … devastated.”
French, whose stepson is the baby’s father, said the newborn was sleeping in a bassinet when the dog reportedly knocked it over and attacked before her parents could intervene.
French said the family had taken in the dog just months ago and claimed it had previously “lunged” at her. “They don’t know that dog. They don’t know where he came from,” she said, placing blame on the parents for putting their children at risk.
“I’m sorry to say that about my stepson, but those kids don’t belong there,” French added, without specifying how many other children were in the home. “It kills me.”
Authorities have not disclosed the dog’s breed but confirmed it was euthanized following the attack. Police are continuing their investigation, and it is not yet clear whether any charges will be filed.