A horrific scene unfolded in Tennessee this week after a grandfather and his infant granddaughter were found dead, having been mauled by the family's own dogs.
A Deadly Afternoon Attack
According to the Coffee County District Attorney's Office, the attack occurred on Wednesday afternoon at a residence in Tullahoma. The victims were identified as James Alexander Smith, 50, and his three-month-old granddaughter.
Police were called to the home at around 3 pm, where they discovered both victims deceased. The situation was described as gory, with some of the dogs reportedly still attacking the infant upon officers' arrival. Authorities were forced to kill several of the pit bulls to stop the assault.
Neighbours Witness the Aftermath
The chaos spilled into the street, where a neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, described a woman screaming and crying inconsolably shortly after 2:30 pm. "I couldn't understand what she was saying," he told News Channel 5. "I tried to help... She wouldn't answer me. She ran off."
Another neighbour, Rebecca Adams, told KGNS she witnessed the baby's mother outside as emergency services arrived. "[The mom was] screaming, 'my baby,' as [animal control] pulled up. My heart just shattered," Adams said.
Initial reports from police suggested that Smith died while trying to save the baby, and he was found holding a baseball bat. However, the DA's office clarified that investigators are still working to determine if the victims died before or after the dog attack.
Investigation and Aftermath
Authorities are examining the dogs' history and the conditions inside the home. "Investigators are also looking into whether the dogs involved had a violent past or if there were any 'other potential issues that may have contributed to this situation'," the DA's office stated.
Neighbour Rebecca Adams said she had seen the pit bulls chase other animals but never act aggressively toward people. "I could see them be aggressive towards animals. Never did I think they would do that to the kids," she said.
The remaining dogs from the property were taken into custody by Tullahoma Animal Control. In a further blow to the family, the house was condemned due to poor living conditions, leaving six other children without a home.
A GoFundMe campaign, organised by family member Ely Cournoyer, has been set up to help with funeral costs, essentials, and temporary housing for the family, which includes Smith's mother who now must care for the children. The fundraiser has already gathered over $37,500.
