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(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
BY JOHN O'CONNOR
A five-year-old boy whose home was destroyed in the devastating Moore, Oklahoma tornado
last month died Monday afternoon after being attacked by a friend's dog.
The boy — whose name has not yet been released — was staying with family friends in Jessieville,
Arkansas while his parents remained in Moore to rebuild their home. (via KTHV)
He was reportedly throwing a fit Sunday afternoon when the family friends' 160-pound Bullmastiff
began attacking him. (via WTOL)
"The child was putting on some shoes and was crying and upset. The dog possibly took that
as being aggressive and at that time the child was attacked." (via KFOR)
According to KLRT, 50-year-old Lynn Geiling and her husband are the owners of the dog.
She told police she tried to pry the dog off the boy, but by the time it stopped attacking
the boy had sustained "major lacerations" to his head and neck.
Geiling's husband drove the boy to an ambulance, where he was then transported to an emergency
room at Mercy Hospital. He was pronounced dead soon after.
The dog ran away after the incident, but was reportedly put down by a neighbor later on
that day.
NBC News points out Bullmastiffs aren't the same as the notorious pit bull terrier — which
is commonly bred to be an aggressive fighting dog — instead, these dogs are bred to serve
as watchdogs and protect the home.
The American Bullmastiff Association says the breed is usually very good with children,
but cautions you should never leave a young child unattended with the dog, especially
children new to the home.
Investigators have yet to determine if the owners will face charges in the boy's death.