‘Heartbreaking’: Newborn bitten by pet dog in Alberta home dies in hospital

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This article was published 17/02/2025 (293 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

EDMONTON – A two-week-old boy who was bitten by a pet dog at a home west of Edmonton on the weekend has died in hospital, RCMP say.

The newborn was airlifted to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton after the attack Sunday in the hamlet of Entwistle, Alta., about 90 kilometres west of the provincial capital.

RCMP said Monday the infant died despite the best efforts of medical professionals.

The dog was surrendered to officials, and officers continued to investigate.

Const. Julie-Ann Strilaiff said officers were looking at the health of the dog and not considering criminal charges.

The breed hadn’t been confirmed, but Strilaiff described it as a medium-sized dog.

“Once the dog has an examination, we can have more determination about what specific breed it is,” she said.

Strilaiff said the dog was set to be evaluated Tuesday by a veterinarian  for things like rabies or inbreeding, and an application would possibly be submitted under the Dangerous Dogs Act to have it put down.

“We need a veterinarian to be able to assist us with being able to ensure that there wasn’t some other underlying cause,” she said.

She added that the newborn was the only child in the home, and the dog was the family pet.

“Obviously the community is pretty devastated and the family’s devastated,” Strilaiff said, adding victim services are available to work with the family.

“It’s just a heartbreaking situation for all.”

Dog attacks like this aren’t common, Strilaiff said.

In 2012, a two-day-old boy in Airdrie, Alta., was killed by a family dog. The Siberian husky was later euthanized.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2025.