Crime & Safety

Father Kills Family Pit Bull After It Attacks Infant Daughter

Falmouth police said a family's pit bull terrier attacked and seriously injured a 1-year-old girl.

FALMOUTH, MA — A father fatally stabbed his family's pit bull terrier after it attacked his 1-year-old girl, police said. The infant was bit in the face and suffered "major trauma," according to Falmouth Police Captain Brain Reid. She was flown to a Boston-area hospital due to the severity of her injuries.

The girl had been playing in the kitchen with the father nearby, Reid said. The dog attacked the girl, and the father was unable to separate the two.

The father retrieved his pistol, but realized it was unloaded. He then grabbed a knife and stabbed the dog, which suffered fatal injuries.

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The dog was in the family for 5 years and had no history of violence, Reid said.

"The attack appears to have been unprovoked," Reid added.

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Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.

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