A 5-year-old Oklahoma tornado survivor was fatally attacked by a dog according to NBC News. The 150-pound Bullmastiff reportedly belongs to Lynn Geiling, a family friend.
Authorities claim the child was crying and the dog "possibly interpreted" his crying as "an aggressive act."
Geilling tried to pull her dog away from the child but he had already suffered tears in his head and neck. The 5-year-old was rushed to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
After the attack, the Bullmastiff ran away from the scene of the crime. NBC News reports a family friend found, shot, and killed the dog. It's unclear if his owner will be facing charges for the mauling.
"To me, it's heartbreaking. I've got a 5-year-old daughter. You can't imagine what this family and friends are going through right now," Scott Hinojosa, Garland County sheriff's Deputy said.
The 5-year-old relocated to Jessieville with his 2-year-old sister so that his parents can focus on rebuilding their lives back in Moore, Oklahoma that were destroyed by a disastrous tornado.
Bullmastiffs are known for their large size, not aggressive behavior. According to the American Bullmastiff Association, "the breed needs no special training to 'react appropriately if his family is threatened'" and advices owners to "never leave a child unattended with your Bullmastiff. They are pack animals and will find their natural place in the pack if left to natural processes, That place maybe at the top of the pecking order instead of below younger family members if left unchecked."
It's unclear if the 5-year-old was familiar with the dog or if this was his first time interacting with the animal.
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