3-year-old boy attacked and killed by his neighbor's dogs in New Jersey

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Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Dogs kill 3-year-old boy, seriously injure mother in NJ
Toni Yates reports from the scene of the attack in Carteret.

NEW JERSEY -- The investigation is ongoing after a horrific incident in New Jersey in which a 3-year-old boy was attacked and killed by his neighbor's dogs.

The boy's mother was also seriously hurt, and neighbors say the dogs have been a menace in the community.

"Those pit bulls bit people all in this area," one neighbor said. "I'm aware of certain houses, so I try to walk a different path when I know that they're on that block."

That attack happened around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the backyard of a New Jersey home after the pair of of pit bulls apparently jumped the fence of their residence.

The 3-year-old was flown to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The mother was transported via ambulance and remains hospitalized.

Their names have not yet been released.

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The girl's family members want the dog's owner to take responsibility for what happened. ABC13's Mycah Hatfield shares their story in the video above. WARNING: Some of the images may be graphic.

New Jersey mayor Daniel Reiman said that according to municipal records from the Board of Health, the dogs were not registered with the town, as is required by law. They were fatally shot by police at the scene.

Neighbors said that the dogs were allowed to roam free in the neighborhood, and one said they didn't let their own children play outside as a result.

The family moved from Brooklyn just a few months ago. One neighbor said she contacted authorities multiple times regarding the dogs.

"I just call the police when I can, if something happened," she said.

Another neighbor said he was spearheading an effort to raise money for the family. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the family to help with expenses may do so by clicking here.

Any funds raised will be provided to the family for medical care and funeral expenses.