North Carolina baby killed by family’s 2 dogs, reports say

WILLOW SPRINGS, North Carolina — A family’s two Rottweilers attacked and killed a 10-month-old girl in their home after her father momentarily stepped out of the room, according to reports.

Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell tells WRAL Channel 5 that Malia Winberry died a short time after she was attacked by the dogs Tuesday night. Malia’s father, Scott Winberry, is a law-enforcement officer.

WTVD Channel 11 reports the father had stepped outside briefly to move a sprinkler in the yard, leaving the child unattended. He reportedly heard a “commotion” and went back inside, seeing the attack, WRAL reports.

The father was giving his daughter medical aid when EMS workers arrived. Emergency workers were unable to revive her and she was declared dead at the scene. No other children were in the home.

The two dogs were seized by animal control, WTVD reports. There were no previous issues with the dogs, authorities say.

“It’s a bad scene anytime that a young child like that passes,” Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Danny Johnson tells WTVD. “It’s very hard on us all.”