A shocking tragedy on Saturday when a dog attacked and bite to death an 18-month-old baby on the island of Zakynthos. The rescue pit bull  attacked the child in a residence in Aghios Leontas settlement.

According to state broadcaster ERT, the parents had returned home from shopping and were unloading their vehicle, when the baby escaped their attention and approached the dog who was on a chain.

The dog reacted violently and attacked the baby grabbing it and biting it on the neck.

The child’s parents frantically called an ambulance and first responders, who transported the seriously injured child to a nearby hospital, where doctors could only confirm the baby’s death.

Both parents, an Albanian national and a British woman, who were identified as long-time residents of Zakynthos, were taken into custody for minor’s negligence.

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The couple has reportedly a plot where it hosts stray and other animals. They had found the pit bull roaming alone on the village streets a couple of months ago and had taken it in the ‘farm’ to protect the village and the dog, hoping to find somebody to adopt it.

4-5 other dogs were chained in the ‘farm’, while other animals such as dogs, cats, pigs etc were living without chains.

Police is investigating the tragic incident.

The dog has been reportedly removed in a facility where it is kept isolated and under observation, while the local animal council is expected to decided about its fate.

Dogs involved in aggressive incidents are usually euthanized.

*thumbnail: via imerazante.gr