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The dog was allegedly a stray, the family had taken in.
A quiet village on Zakynthos was thrown into shock this week after a two-year-old boy died from injuries sustained in what local media described as a violent dog attack.
According to Ekathimerini, citing AMNA, the family had just returned from a routine shopping trip when the situation unfolded.
Authorities on the island said the child was brought urgently to the General Hospital of Zakynthos, where medical staff attempted to stabilise him. Efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
What actually happened?
According to reporting from Ekathimerini, the child is believed to have been attacked shortly after entering the property.
The dog, described as a pit bull, allegedly inflicted serious wounds to the boy’s head and neck.
According to the reports, the boys father rushed to the attack to get pull the dog away, but he was reportedly unable to stop the assault.
A stray taken in
Ekathimerini reported that the dog was a stray the family had discovered near their home several weeks earlier.
Local residents told reporters that the family was well known for taking in stray animals at their home on the outskirts of the village.
It is also unclear, if the dog had shown previous aggressive behaviour.
According to Express, citing ERT, the Mayor of Zakynthos said that the dog will be handed over to a veterinarian to be monitored.
Dog taken to shelter, parents arrested
In line with Greek law, the boy’s parents were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence, a measure that is automatically triggered in similar cases.
They were later released on the orders of a prosecutor while the investigation continues.
Sources: Ekathimerini, AMNA, ERT, Express
