VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — An 8-year-old boy was attacked and killed by a pair of dogs late Monday afternoon in Central Florida, deputies said.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said in a Facebook post that the attack occurred north of Deland just before 5 p.m.
The sheriff said witnesses called 911 and began CPR on the victim, but he was not able to survive his injuries.
Deputies who responded to the scene chased the loose dogs down the road, Chitwood said.
Volusia County Animal Services officers also responded to the scene and caught both animals, one they described as a pit bull and the other as a mixed breed.
The dogs are being held in quarantine by Animal Services.
Chitwood said an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the attack.
"I don't know what anyone can say to ease the immense pain this family is feeling tonight," Chitwood said. "This is a tragedy beyond comprehension, especially for those of us who are parents and grandparents. I can only ask our community to say a prayer of strength for this family and keep them in your hearts as they face their worst nightmare."
In a Tuesday news conference, Chitwood called the boy's injuries horrific and said the dogs have been terrorizing the neighborhood for weeks.
"He was out on his bike with one of his friends, and at the entrance to their subdivision," Chitwood said. "He stops and goes to pet one of these dogs that's out there, and at that point, Michael is maliciously mauled, brutally mauled and killed at the scene."
"This is very rare and very tragic circumstance that we have today," Angela Miedema with Volusia County Animal Services. "We were able to gain control of the dogs yesterday in an expeditious manner and humane manner. Unfortunately, the owner has not signed over permission for humane euthanasia at this point, but that may be coming in the near future."
The sheriff said they will continue to investigate and hope to hold the dog owner accountable for the boy's death.
