An infant girl, five months old, was tragically killed by a pet dog while at her grandparents’ home in Cidade Ocidental, Goiás, Brazil on June 4, 2024. Isis da Silva Sobrinho was left alone on a couch for nearly an hour as her parents were out shopping for a family barbecue.

Local media reports state that Isis was sleeping when the dog attacked her. The infant’s parents, who have not been publicly identified, were charged with manslaughter without intent to kill. They were released after posting bail of approximately $263.

The baby’s uncle, who was in the backyard preparing for the barbecue, told the authorities he was unaware that Isis had been left alone. He saw the child’s father leave and assumed the mother was still in the house. When he heard Isis crying, he presumed she was with her mother. It was only later that he discovered the horrifying scene and immediately rushed the baby to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The attack left Isis with multiple bite wounds and a severely damaged pelvis.

The child’s grandmother, who asked to remain unidentified, said, “The dog had never shown any signs of aggression before. He was always playful and friendly with everyone.” The dog, a mixed breed, had been with the family for five years and was owned by Isis’ grandparents.

Investigators from the local Civil Police, a state-level police department in charge of criminal investigations, suspect that the dog might have been hungry at the time of the attack, as it had not been fed that day. In the course of their investigation, they found no dog food in the house. Their investigation into the incident is ongoing.

While the parents went shopping, the infant’s care was entrusted to her uncle. However, the grandparents were also absent at the time. The family dog managed to slip through a gap in the fence and attacked the baby.

Neighbors were shocked by the incident. A resident, who requested to remain anonymous, stated, “The family is well-known and liked in the community. We can’t imagine what they are going through.”

The tragic event has sparked discourse around the responsibilities of pet owners and the necessary safety precautions when children are present around animals. It brings to light the importance of keeping pets adequately fed and securely contained, particularly in households with young children.