Boy, 2, mauled to death by family’s German shepherd after stumbling on top of dog that had ‘known him since birth’
A TWO-year-old boy was mauled to death by his family’s German Shepherd after he stumbled on top of it.
The dog had been with the Guerra family for four years before the tragedy struck at their home in Costa Rica on Monday.
It was reported the vicious hound latched on to Dexter Yael’s neck after he fell on top of it – despite the tot “knowing the dog since birth”.
Dexter’s mother, Yojebeth Guevara, was also injured while trying to protect her son.
She suffered several bites while trying to get the animal to release her boy, family members said.
Two neighbours were also bitten while trying to pull the dog away.
Alex Guerra, the father, told local media: “From what I understand, my son kind of stumbled on top of the dog and that’s when it attacked him.
“The dog was used to my son.
“They’d been together since he was a newborn.”
Óscar Rodríguez, a neighbour, was eventually able to drag the German Shepherd off the boy.
The youngster was subsequently rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.
Rubén Rodríguez, president of the Canine Federation of Costa Rica, visited the home and said the dog was well looked after with plenty of space to move around the property.
The animal has now been seized by the National Animal Health Service, which will decide on its fate in the coming days.
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