1-Month-Old Baby Girl Is Mauled to Death by Puppy, Who Attacked Her as Family Slept: Police

A Queens family is reeling after their 1-month-old baby girl was fatally mauled by their 6-month-old puppy as the family slept on Tuesday morning.

Police were called to the Long Island City home on 12th Street near 41st Avenue just after 6:30 a.m., the New York Police Department’s press office tells PEOPLE. 

The child’s mother told responding officers that their 6-month-old German Shepherd-pit bull mix jumped on the bed and attacked their infant daughter as she laid between her and the child’s stepfather. 

The baby, identified by the NYPD’s press office as Kiyanna Winfield on Wednesday morning, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. 

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Neighbors told CBS News New York that their building is full of friendly dogs and were shocked to hear the tragic news. 

“To be honest, as a mom of three, I was sad. Because honestly, as a parent, you don’t expect your pet to attack your child,” neighbor Maria Gutierrez told the outlet.

No arrests have yet been made, per the NYPD; it is unclear whether the girl’s mother or stepfather have been questioned by police in connection with her death, but the agency said an investigation is ongoing.

The dog was seized by Animal Control, a DCPI officer tells PEOPLE.