DETROIT, Michigan — Three dogs described as pit bulls attacked a 9-year-old girl as she rode her bike Monday afternoon, killing her, according to reports.
The Detroit News reports the dogs’ owner, a 33-year-old man, was taken into custody and the dogs are likely to be euthanized.
The News reports neighbors tried to help Emma Hernandez when they heard the girl’s screams, throwing bricks and other items at the dogs to try to stop the attack. Other neighbors began firing gunshots at the dogs, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Emma Hernandez, 9, died Monday in Detroit after being attacked by three dogs as she rode her bike, according to reports.gofundme.com
Deborah Gordon tells WXYZ Channel 7 the attack on the girl was the worst thing she’s seen.
“When I come out of my house, I heard all the screaming and I was aware something bad had happened,” Gordon tells WXYZ. “I seen the little girl flat in her back with the bite marks and part of her neck hanging off."
The News reports counseling is being offered to first responders because the attack was so horrific.
“This should not have happened,” Detroit police Chief James Craig tells The News. “How many more times? We hear these stories about some of these pit bulls. I think of an image of postal employees who lost a limb ... here we are sitting here talking about a child and a family.”
The Free Press reports police are continuing to investigate the attack.
A gofundme set up to help Hernandez’s family with funeral costs had raised more than $40,000 by Wednesday morning.
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