Man, 3-month-old granddaughter mauled by dogs in Tennessee
Officers arrived and observed the dogs actively mauling the infant.
TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Tullahoma Police Department is investigating a dog mauling that reportedly left a 50-year-old and his infant granddaughter dead in Coffee County.
According to a report from the district attorney for the 14th District of Tennessee, Tullahoma PD officers were called to a reported dog mauling in the 900 block of East Warren Street at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
The report states that officers arrived and observed pitbulls actively mauling an infant. The officers immediately shot the dogs to stop the attack.
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Once the dogs were euthanized, the officers confirmed that 50-year-old James Smith and his 3-month-old granddaughter were deceased.
“This was an especially difficult and brutal scene,” the DA said. “Please pray for the family of the victims in this difficult time, as well as the first responders, as they cope with the trauma from what they witnessed.”
The investigation into what led to their deaths continues, as detectives work to determine if the dog attacks were postmortem and if there was any violent history with these or other dogs at the house.
The DA also reported that past issues related to the Department of Children’s Services and other “potential issues” are being investigated and may have contributed to the tragic incident on Wednesday afternoon.
No criminal charges have been filed, but they are not off the table, according to the DA’s report.
Tullahoma Animal Control reportedly removed the other dogs from the home for the duration of the investigation.
The family owned seven dogs, according to neighbors who said the dogs had previously attacked other animals in the neighborhood but never harmed people.
The house was also condemned because of its condition, meaning the family must find a new place to live and get things like clothes while mourning the deaths.
A GoFundMe has been started to help the family cover funeral expenses and includes a list of other items they hope the community can donate.
A constant stream of cars has been driving through the neighborhood as word of the attack spreads.
“Today has just been everybody driving by just to see the house,” neighbor Rebecca Adams said. “I guess they’re needing proof, too, that this really did happen.”
Anyone with information about the deadly incident is asked to call 931-455-0530.
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