Boy, 4, Killed by Dogs: Uncle's Pit Bulls Attacked as Child Screamed for Help
A boy, 4, was killed by dogs Saturday night at his uncle's home in Riverview, Florida around 10:30 p.m., according to reports. Logan Shepard had been left alone eating his ice cream while adults talked in another room, and screamed alerted them to the child being attacked by his uncle's two vicious pit bulls.
The 4-year-old boy killed by dogs had come to his uncle and aunt's house with his mother, Stephanie Groulx. The child was given ice cream while the adults and Logan's 15-year-old cousin had a conversation in the master bedroom, Bay News 9 reported. Then, they began to hear screams coming from outside and realized that Logan wasn't inside.
Two deputies nearby were conducting traffic stops and also heard the screams from the front yard of the home. They arrived on the scene to find the uncle's two female pit bulls standing over young Logan's bloody body. Although uncle Billy Fredericks Sr. had put the two animals in their cages in the front yard before his nephew's visit, somehow they had gotten loose and mauled the boy.
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Paramedics and emergency services arrived at the Riverview home shortly after the attack. The 4-year-old was pronounced dead at about 10:30 p.m.
Animal services took both pit bulls away and euthanized them Sunday for killing Shepard.
Neighbors were shocked by what happened to the little boy, especially since authorities and animal control have never been called to the residence before because of the pit bulls.
"I feel so sorry for the family, I can't believe that," one neighbor, Crystal Huntley, told Fox 13 news. "I have two kids of my own. I know I wouldn't even be able to stand if that was mine."
Hillsborough Animal Services and local police are investigating how the two pit bulls escaped from their cages in the front yard. No charges have currently been filed in Logan's death.
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