MARTINEZ, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) — A 7-month-old girl was taken to a hospital in Martinez Tuesday after being mauled by a dog, authorities said Tuesday.
She was later pronounced dead, according to the Columbia County Coroner’s Office.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said the girl was being observed by her grandmother at a home at 3701 Columbia Drive when a dog in the home became aggressive.
The girl and her grandmother were both injured, according to authorities, but the girl suffered more serious injuries.
Both were taken to Augusta University Health, authorities said.
People living in neighborhoods of mostly single-story brick houses said they saw police cars at the house between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. but did not witness what happened inside. They confirmed that a large dog lived in the house.
The dog that attacked the girl and her grandmother was a mix of an American bulldog and a Great Pyrenees, according to deputies. Authorities had previously reported it was a pit bull terrier but later corrected themselves.
Tim Jardine lives just down the street from the neighbor. He’s lived in this neighborhood all his life, even mowing the neighbor’s grass. Thinking back to a previous incident that required paramedics to respond, he could tell the dog was fierce.
“My boyfriend and I had to squat the dog so they could get in there and take the woman to the hospital.”
His sister-in-law lives across the street from him.
Columbia Drive neighbor Amanda Jardine said: “It’s not going to let anyone get near anyone. I think dogs are supposed to be protective, but this dog can be a little overprotective, in a vicious way.”
They hope this doesn’t happen again.
“My heart goes out to her family,” she said.
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