Boy Dies in ‘Dog Attack’ Despite Grandmother’s Intervention, 9 Dogs Euthanized

A young boy in Alabama was killed in a dog attack, despite his grandmother’s attempt to save him.

The 7-year-old boy was attacked by dogs “in the area of County Road 147” near the city of Calera, Ala., on the evening of Tuesday, July 22, according to the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). Local Fox affiliate WBRC identified the child as Noah Burnett.

Shortly after 6:10 p.m. local time, deputies arrived at the scene to find that Burnett had “suffered serious injuries as a result of an attack by one or more aggressive dogs,” police said in a press release. 

According to Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon, Burnett’s grandmother was also bitten multiple times in an attempt to save the 7-year-old, WBRC reported.

The child was transported for emergency medical treatment, but died following the attack. “It is with great sadness that we report the child has succumbed to their injuries,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Our hearts are broken for the child and the family affected by this unimaginable loss,” Shearon added in a press release. “We are fully committed to a thorough investigation to determine how this tragedy occurred and to help prevent anything like this from happening again.”

Burnett’s grandmother was also taken to the hospital for treatment, but is expected to recover, according to WBRC.

In its initial announcement of the attack, the CCSO said that “the dog or dogs involved” had “not yet been located or secured.” The sheriff’s office also said that an investigation was underway “to determine the full circumstances of the attack, including whether the animals involved were stray or domesticated and under someone’s ownership.”

Shortly after, the sheriff’s office confirmed there were nine dogs connected to the incident, and they belonged to an owner, who surrendered them to Chilton County Animal Control.

“These animals were not stray dogs,” the sheriff’s office said. “They belonged to a local resident and were kept on private property prior to the incident.”

All nine dogs “were humanely euthanized in accordance with standard safety protocols and were sent for testing as part of the investigation,” according to police.

The surrendered dogs consisted of several different breeds, including shepherd mixes, pit bull-terrier mixes, lab mixes, a hound mix and a pit bull-terrier-akita mix, according to police. They ranged in age from 6 months to 3 years old.

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Following Burnett’s death, his family declined to speak with WBRC, but they did describe him as having “a big heart and an even bigger personality,” the outlet said.

“To know” Burnett “was to love him,” says a GoFundMe raising money for funeral expenses for the 7-year-old. “He had the biggest heart and the most outgoing personality! He was the life of the party, and he was always dirty; he loved being outside and playing in the dirt.”