Tragedy has struck an eastern Iowa family as authorities try to figure out what caused a family pet to attack and kill a baby and injure another adult.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that police and animal control were called to 1280 Scott Ave. in Waterloo Thursday morning around 7:20 a.m. for a report of a dog attack. Authorities say a 9-month-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene and the boy’s 49-year-old grandmother was also seriously injured. She was taken to UnityPoint-Health Allen Hospital and then transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals, according to the Gazette. The identities of the victims are not being released at this time.
The Gazette reports that the dog was a boxer and neutered male mix. Authorities were able to remove the dog from the property without incident. The Gazette reports that an official at the scene stated, “You could tell this dog was part of the family.” It is unclear what caused the dog’s attack.
The dog was euthanized after the incident.
WATCH: Here are the pets banned in every state
Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to the states, some organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States, are advocating for federal and standardized legislation that would prohibit keeping big cats, bears, primates, and large venomous snakes as pets.
Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the country.
