TULLAHOMA, TENNESSEE – A horror scene unfolded in a Tennessee home on Wednesday after a grandfather and his infant granddaughter were mauled to death by the family’s pack of pit bulls. Police were forced to open fire on the aggressive animals to reach the victims, but it was too late to save the 3-month-old baby.
"Difficult and Brutal Scene"
The tragedy occurred on Wednesday afternoon at a residence on Warren Street. When police arrived, they found the lifeless body of 50-year-old James Alexander Smith inside the home. The seven dogs were still actively attacking the 3-month-old baby.
Officers had to shoot and kill all seven dogs to stop the mauling and reach the bloodied victims. Attorney General Craig Northcott described the aftermath as "an especially difficult and brutal scene" and asked the public to pray for the first responders who had to witness the trauma.
"Terrorized the Neighborhood"
Neighbors say the pack of dogs was a known problem. Brian Kirby, who lives nearby, said the same group of pit bulls had killed his cat just a week earlier. On the day of the attack, he found the infant's mother screaming in the middle of the street.
"I’m sure it was not done on purpose," Kirby told reporters, noting that the family is devastated. Another neighbor, Rebecca Adams, recalled hearing the mother shrieking "my baby" as authorities swarmed the home. She noted that the dogs would constantly break loose and chase other animals.
House Condemned
Following the attack, the surviving dogs in the home were taken into custody by Tullahoma Animal Control. The house itself was condemned due to its poor condition.
Authorities are now investigating the exact timeline of events, including whether the victims were mauled to death or if they had died before the animals attacked. Investigators are also reviewing the dogs' history of aggression and whether there were prior issues involving the children and the Department of Children’s Services.
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