Newborn Dies In South Bay Dog Attack

TORRANCE, CA — A newborn baby died after being bitten by a dog in Torrance Tuesday afternoon.

The unidentified baby was just a month old, according to the Torrance Police Department, which is investigating the dog attack, said Lieutenant F. Ahmad.

Paramedics were called to a home on the 2700 block of Martha Avenue at about 12:35 p.m. Tuesday, the Torrance Police Department announced Wednesday.

"The Torrance Fire Department arrived and discovered that a dog had bit a one-month-old
child," Ahmad announced in a written statement. "The Torrance Fire Department responded and transported the child to the hospital."

The baby was pronounced dead at the hospital.

"Torrance Police officers responded to the hospital, contacted the parents, and learned that the child had passed away," Ahmad said. "Subsequently, detectives responded to the scene and the hospital to conduct a follow-up investigation. City of Torrance Animal Control also responded and took possession of the dog."

It wasn't immediately clear what kind of dog was involved in the attack nor what it's fate would be.

"As of now, the cause of death is undetermined, pending the Los Angeles County Coroner's investigation. The tragic news saddens the Torrance Police Department and the community," Ahmad said. The Department's investigation is also ongoing, and we encourage witnesses or people with information to contact the Department at (310) 328-3456."

There have been multiple fatal dog attacks in Los Angeles County in 2024. Though fatal attacks are rare, family pets have killed children and infants in California as recently as last month when a four-year-old girl was mauled to death by the family dog in the Central Valley.

In Woodland Hills, a two-month-old was critically injured but survived when the family pit bull bit him in response to the doorbell ringing in 2018.

SEE ALSO:

• Man Mauled To Death By Pit Bulls In Los Angeles County
• Girl, 4, Killed By Her Family's Pit Bull
• 3 Hospitalized In Pit Bull Attack
• 2 Mauled By Pack Of Pit Bulls In LA County
• 13 Pit Bulls In Fatal LA County Mauling Euthanized
• Infant Mauled By Pit Bull In Woodland Hills
• Mountain Lion Kills Pit Bull In LA County
• Rescue Group Helps Find Clue In Sexual Abuse, Death Of Pit Bull