A one-week-old baby was mauled to death by a family pet dog named Chomp, with an autopsy revealing the newborn had been bitten 180 times. The attack took place at the family home in Markle, Indiana, on September 4.
The baby's father, Austin Kinsey, was jailed for 16 years after telling police he had been playing video games in the same room as his son before briefly leaving him alone. Police who responded to the property found a "strong odour of animal, trash, and dirt everywhere" and attempted to give the baby CPR, but he could not be saved.
Attack details
Detectives said Austin had left the room to talk to his mother and the baby's mother before the grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, heard the baby making noises and rushed in. He found the dog dragging the baby around the room and urged relatives to call an ambulance.
An autopsy later revealed the baby had been bitten 180 times by Chomp, a five-year-old husky and pit bull mix, who was euthanised after the attack. The baby also suffered rib fractures, brain haemorrhages and lung tears.
Family background and living conditions
The family said Chomp had been gentle with the baby but had previously shown jealous and aggressive behaviour around other animals. After a previous incident with another dog, grandmother Rita Wickey had reportedly warned someone to carry a gun in case Chomp became violent.
The family's living conditions were raised in court, with documents describing a property overwhelmed by rubbish, dirty plates and piles of clothing. The house was also said to be crawling with bugs, including some found in the baby's car seat. The Huntington County Health Department declared the property unfit for habitation and ordered the family to leave. Other dogs were removed from the home, while Chomp was euthanised.
Legal outcome
Austin Kinsey faced three charges, including two counts of neglect and one count of harbouring a non-immunised dog that caused an injury. As part of a plea agreement, the more serious charge of neglect was dropped, and he was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Monday.
The baby's mother, Violet Weaver, is due to attend a change-of-plea hearing later this month.
