CONVERSE – A 4-year-old boy is dead after he was attacked by his family's dog Sunday afternoon.
According to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the boy was playing in the backyard of his home in the 8900 block of Twincreek Farm. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said the dog was tied up when he attacked the child.
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"It appears that the child may have gotten too close to the dog," Salazar said. "One of the relatives of the child actually looked out into the backyard and saw that the dog had his mouth around the little boy's neck and was shaking him."
Salazar said the boy was found lifeless. Family members attempted to administer first aid, but were unsuccessful. The child was airlifted to the hospital where he was declared dead.
In response to the fatal dog attack, Salazar said a child should never be left alone with a dog, even if it's not known to be vicious.
"This was a family dog," Salzar said. "Even if the dog doesn't show any outward signs of aggression, sometimes they can be unpredictable. So, it's best to always be vigilant when you're dealing with a small child and a dog like that."
Bexar County Animal Control took the dog, which they described as a "mixed large breed." It will be held for overnight observation and tested for rabies before being euthanized, according to authorities.