Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Rottweiler kills baby in France after biting its head

Russian Jack Russell joined in attack and bit baby several times

Peter Walker
Saturday 21 January 2017 03:47 GMT
Comments
Rottweiller
Rottweiller (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A family Rottweiler attacked and killed a 14-month-old baby in northern France.

Police say the dog, in the family’s courtyard in their Saint-Aubin home in Aisne, jumped on the baby girl and bit her in the head on Thursday morning.

A gendarmes spokesman also told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that another dog, a Russian Jack Russell, joined in during the attack and bit her several times.

“The mother and girl couldn’t do anything,” he said. “The attack was extremely violent. “The dog jumped at the girl who was in the yard of his home with his mother and bit her on the head.”

The girl’s heart had reportedly already stopped, after a cardiac arrest, when rescue workers arrived, and she died on the spot.

The spokesman said the Rottweiler was shot dead by a hunter after running from the scene, and that the local mayor will decide whether the Jack Russell is put down.

Owners in France must have permits for breeds classed as dangerous dogs, which include Staffordshires, Pitbulls, Mastiffs and Tosas.

Those without a permit can be fined up to €750 (£650).

Anyone charged with owning a dog who caused a person’s death can be imprisoned for up to five years and fined €75,000 (£65,000).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in