An 18-month-old girl has died following a pit bull attack at a Newark, New Jersey, residence on Tuesday evening. The child was under the supervision of a teenage babysitter when she wandered off and was attacked by one of the family’s four dogs.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the toddler was rushed to University Hospital but was pronounced dead around 7 p.m. The four dogs have been removed from the home and placed under quarantine by Newark Animal Control as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are investigating whether the pit bull was the only dog involved in the attack or if other dogs were also responsible. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly said, “The investigation is continuing, and the official cause and manner of death will be determined by an autopsy.”
The family, devastated by the loss, has requested privacy. Neighbors reported a significant police response and expressed concern over the situation.
Pit bulls are linked to a high number of dog bites and fatal attacks, according to statistics from the American Animal Hospital Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The breed’s involvement in such incidents continues to raise concerns about dog safety.
