Baby Killed By Dog In Henderson, Nevada On His First Birthday (VIDEO)

A baby's first birthday party turned tragic when he was killed by the family's dog during the celebration.

WARNING -- Graphic Description Below:

The Las Vegas Sun reports that the 120-pound Mastiff/Rhodesian mix had never displayed any previous signs of aggression toward people, according to the family who lives in Henderson, Nev.

The baby crawled over to the dog to pet him, the police reported. The Daily Mail writes that Chris Shahan, the baby's father, believes his son tried to grab the dog’s fur to stand up when the dog reacted.

From the Sun:

The dog ... latched his jaws around the boy's head and began shaking him, police said. The grandmother attempted to pull the boy from the dog while other family members rushed to help, police said.

Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Shahan said, "I got the dog off the baby ... I tried to save my baby."

According to the reporter in the My News 3 KSNV video below, Shahan "wants to be clear that this was an accident, not some kind of vicious attack."

According to KLAS-TV, the dog will be observed for rabies, and will then be euthanized.

News of the baby's tragic death comes just a few days after the Associated Press reported on a two-month old who was killed and dismembered by a dog in South Carolina.

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Comments

[greenstraws]

03:16 AM on 12/28/2012

Dogs will be dogs. Even "pet" dogs can turn ugly very fast.

Always remember that when you let your offspring interact with such animals at so young an age or when you walk away and leave your infants and babies to play with these animals.

[tiffy A]

03:30 AM on 05/28/2012

The Lexus Project has stepped in the save the dogs life, but the family is well aware the mistake they have made and have asked for privacy as they grieve. The grandmother signed Onion over to the rescue organization to live out his days with professionals where he will not be adopted out, yet they are still fighting for the ruling to release the dog from Henderson Animal control who has already spread lies about the dogs behavior in the shelter (which is whyy gma signed him over). The lawyers are having money problems right now and while LV residents have donated there are still court fees that need paid. Those who are curious about Onions fate can find out what is happening with him through the facebook page Save Onion.

[Vyktorija]

12:06 AM on 05/22/2012

That dog reacted on instinct because it is a DOG. Our culture has personified dogs to the point that they are thought of as having human attributes, the problem with that is that dogs are animals that do not feel human emotion and do not respond to their environment the way humans do. My best guess is that the dog either responded to the baby the way it would a puppy that was being naughty and attempted to chastise the child or that is was simplya display of instinctive aggression. Things like this could be avoided if people would acknowledge that there is much more to owning a dog than providing it with food, water, and shelter. Dogs absolutely MUST be socialized and trained so that they can recognize what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior and be easily controlled. This is an absolute tragedy, and I feel for the parents, but I won't even let my 6 pound Maltese anywhere near my nephew if I'm not around. PLEASE do not adopt a dog if you are not prepared to socialize and train it.

[firststatemate]

09:59 AM on 06/14/2012

Yes, people do sometimes anthropomophize animals a bit much, and dogs indeed must be socialized However, dogs absolutely do understand many human emotions such as LOVE, affection and caring, and they know full well when they are accepted and valued. They also know when they are being abandoned or mistreated. They feel pain and anguish just like we do. It saddens me when a dog tries to defend itself against human stupidity and winds up being put down when it's protecting its life, its home, its owner, and its territory in the only way it knows how.

If people who own dogs are trained properly along with the dog, there would be a lot fewer incidents of dog bites and attacks, and a little common sense should tell an owner that a dog is still a dog and should not necessarily have access to babies or young children witout intense supervision. A dog can easily misinterpret an innocent gesture or feel threatened when a human is in its face.

[Jzissle]

03:19 AM on 05/11/2012

The father totally let this baby down. He failed to protect him and take the oumost precaution. There's no excuse for this, plain and simple.

[daylily12]

05:35 AM on 05/08/2012

I have seen so many wonderful family dogs that would protect their human babies with their lives, but there are some dogs that just don't have the temperament to be around the little grasping hands of tikes. This story is such a tragedy from every point of view that it just breaks my heart.

[rabit818]

01:26 PM on 05/02/2012

Another dog killing baby story. This is sad.
My cousin, her husband and their baby lived with my parents for awhile. Our pekinese are well behaved and were never allowed on our beds. Lo and behold when my cousin left her baby on the bed to change her, our pekinese was on the bed "investigating". Dogs get jealous. I don't care if the dog has a halo on it's head, it is an animal and must be kept away from babies.

[JMJ C]

03:37 PM on 05/01/2012

Does anyone know if this dog was neutered? I have heard most dog attacks occur in un-neutered/ unspayed pets. So sad, for everyone.

[Pauline Fiorentino]

01:30 PM on 05/01/2012

Sad story. Sad too that they will put this dog down. He was sleeping and Onion reacted as a dog would who is startled and pulled on out of a sleep. Those 2 loved each other ( the baby and the dog). Like the dad said, his dog is not vicious and I believe that. Any dog who is sleeping and is startled will react aggressively. People assume dogs have unconditional love however they also are animals and have instinctive behaviors when they are startled just as humans would. we dont put humans down for protecting themselves . Well at least this baby will have his dog to play with in heaven next week. I just dont think animals get a fair share of justice when it comes to these tragic accidents.

[michaleenflynn]

02:38 PM on 05/01/2012

No, not all dogs will act aggressively - and certainly not to this extent - upon being woken up in a startling way. That aside, any animal that takes a human life, regardless of the circumstances, forfeits its life, period. It would be obscene to allow it to live. That you think it would be OK to allow this dog to live after it ripped a baby's face off and killed him is appalling.

[bigmoneygrip1979]

03:03 PM on 05/01/2012

What's obscene is that we allow HUMANS to live that take other's lives too... they should be put down as well.

[personal beliefs]

03:03 PM on 05/01/2012

You are sick.

[roberta4343]

10:57 AM on 05/01/2012

poor baby, I don't believe the dog was being hurt, its attack was intent to kill. I have two dogs of unequal size one is part boxer,. when there is a dispute it is mostly postering, barking and nipping, never a full grab and shake. my dogs when they kill ground hogs and mice they do the grab and shake. all my dogs( and I have had many of mixed breeding over the years) that have killed the ground hogs do the same, grab and shake as hard as you can. that is intent to kill.

yes dogs give warning signs, a look, a slight tilting of the head, light snapping of the jaws, tail in the air with that look in their eyes, sometimes even hair rasing o the back, this action probably did happen in other circumstances, like when the adults pet the dog or approach the dog there are tall tale signs. my shep/chow mix used to put her dead down and give my mom a dirty look, and I knew her intentions and I would discipline right there, it made mom uncomfortable so I put a fence between her and the dog in the car when traveling. my brothers akita bit her. he promptly had it put down. his fault for not recognizing the symptoms of preagression and correcting the dog. you have to be alpha and all others have to be alpha over the dog. it can be done without abuse.

[michaleenflynn]

02:40 PM on 05/01/2012

Agreed - a full grab and prolonged shake is very rare, especially with a known member of the household. I am relieved this dog was put down.

[floridan56]

11:33 PM on 05/01/2012

why do you suppose they have to test it for rabies first?

Perhaps the father was bitten while trying to pry the baby free? Otherwise, why bother?

[luziannagirl]

11:25 AM on 05/02/2012

What a shame; Akitas were bred to watch and guard children. Or so I've read.

That's one of the main jobs of brother's Akita, and he does it quite well. Very sweet and tolerant dog.

[Backtalkisahorse]

05:42 PM on 08/26/2012

Rhodesian/Mastiff....NOT Akita.

[Alekxi]

08:53 AM on 05/01/2012

It is more likely for a human to turn on another than for a dog to turn on a human. Dogs have been around humans for thousands of years. I would trust my dog (Sausage) with my life (a Staffordshire bull terrier) after seeing how even though he hates water he jumped into the pool for me because he thought I was drowning and he tried to get me out. Dogs are unpredictable but so are humans.

[Subsoil73]

11:26 AM on 05/01/2012

And whether a human kills or a dog kills, if it's unprovoked then, they should both be put down.

[michaleenflynn]

02:41 PM on 05/01/2012

Agreed, Subsoil.

[gibby1855]

09:30 PM on 05/01/2012

You mean you have a pit bull, and many cities are outlawing them.

[Alekxi]

10:12 PM on 05/01/2012

No, I have a Stafforshire. And whether cities are outlawing them well I don't know much about that but that is sad if they are.

[BPLUNC]

02:14 AM on 05/02/2012

Staffordshire bull terriers are not similar to pitbulls. You're thinking of the American Staffordshire Terrier. But even then, they are still not exactly the same as the American Pitbull Terrier. While it's true that both breeds are essentially mirror images of each other, Pitbulls and Staffies separated bloodlines about 100 years ago when the UKC took one breed and the AKC took the other...I think it's UKC that register Staffies but it might be the other way around. Breed enthusiasts often insist that Staffies possess better temperament, but this claim is dubious since BOTH breeds are exceptional dogs when properly raised.

[floridan56]

04:17 AM on 05/01/2012

There are nuances to dogs behavior that can require a lot of experience and perception to recognize.
Though there may have been no previous, aggressive behavior, there must have been indications that this was not necessarily a 'pull up' dog while, indeed there are many.
No blame intended here. just a reminder of an awareness that its crucial to be keenly aware of potential animal behavior, particularly while in the presence of any small children.
Children MUST also be schooled asap as to what NOT to do with dogs EVER and I don't see it enough. i.e. NEVER put your face into a dogs face, go up to strange ones, stay away from dogs food bowl etc. While no doubt these poor parents were frantic to have the dog drop the baby please know that nothing makes a dog release more quickly than a glass of water or spray of the hose in the face. They usually will drop their grip immediately. Also when two dogs are aggressive with each other, water in the face, can break up a fight. Never try to physically do so with your hands. It usually won't work and leaves the human bit in the process. First move; grab a bowl of water!

[seajewel]

06:28 AM on 05/01/2012

Fanned and Faved Great post.

[Pauline Fiorentino]

01:34 PM on 05/01/2012

great post. So sad that a dog is simply doing what it does and is put to death because of it. Education is the key to avoid these tragic events and to stop putting down dogs for simply being dogs. I had a neighbor who once had such a good dog and their neighbor provoked it and the dog bit the neighbor. The city put the dog down. I never saw so much heartache to the owners of this dog. The city had no right to put that dog down. if you are going to provoke a dog, you will get bitten or mauled. Its instinctual behavior.

[michaleenflynn]

02:42 PM on 05/01/2012

So sad that the dog was put to death?? The dog killed a BABY here!

[gibby1855]

09:32 PM on 05/01/2012

Read the article again

[sanfran55]

08:31 PM on 04/30/2012

Horrible and tragic. Did the dog belong to the grandma? Confusing.

[abercrombie]

10:21 PM on 04/30/2012

Basically yes. They got it as a puppy and it
was by the grandmas side when she got cancer.

[Jennifer Mamaj Felix]

07:50 PM on 04/30/2012

I have 4 large dogs and custody of my infant grand daughter and I would NEVER leave her with our dogs without VERY close supervision. I have never let my children or grand child crawl on our dogs, ever! That being said, my dogs have never bitten or even nipped at anyone, yet my brother was bitten and needed 22 stitches in his face from our cocker spaniel!! It is all about being a responsible dog owner and parent, simple as that.

[Kimheng Meas]

02:13 AM on 05/01/2012

I agree with you. I'm the owner of Belgian Sheepdogs, a very smart breed, but regardless, I never let my 1 year old even remotely get close to them. Never, ever ground level. The big mistake of most dog owners is that they keep thinking their dogs are human and expect them to follow the same rules... Well to all the doggy princess dressing, baby carriage dog riding, puppy pamper providing idiots out there... YOU DOG IS NOT A BLOODY BABY... ITS PREDATORY ANIMAL AND SHOULD BE GUIDED AS SUCH... DO THE DOG JUSTICE AND TREAT THEM LIKE A DOG!!!!!!!!!

[michaleenflynn]

02:43 PM on 05/01/2012

Kimheng - exactly, treat a dog like a dog.

[luziannagirl]

11:39 AM on 05/02/2012

Yeah. Anything with teeth can bite. And animals don't have words.

Even the most affectionate, charming, normally docile animal can suddenly, without intention to harm, do something that has serious, even deadly consequences for the owner.

I grew up on a farm, and our rule was never, ever turn your back on the bull. Ours was a super gentle bull, but our parents often reminded us of the true story of the neighbor who had a "pet" bull, that followed him around the farm like a dog. One day, the bull was feeling frisky, and as bulls often do, he wanted to play. The man played with him a little, then turned his back to go back to work. The bull wasn't finished, and playfully pinned him up against the tractor, and pushed him with his head (as bulls often do with other cattle). But it was just a little too hard. The man's ribs were crushed. His family found him dead on the ground, his confused 2,000 lb pet standing watch over him.

So, even though an animal might not mean to, it can inadvertently hurt even its loving owner.

Your advice to remember that though we love them dearly, animals are animals, not people, is good advice.

[DMSmith]

02:28 AM on 05/01/2012

Sadly, NOTHING is as simple as that.

[PoundOFun]

07:25 PM on 04/30/2012

Folks I know, we all know this was an accident....but at the end of the damned day, we have got to understand that small children 25 hours of the day, must be kept safe from everything, including pets and pools and fire arms....so far this week, I have heard of a 2 year old drowning in the family pool, a 3 year old shooting a sibling and now this....its just too tragic for words.

[seajewel]

06:31 AM on 05/01/2012

100 yrs ago a woman would have had a dozen babies and only a few would survive. Everyday lived is a blessing.

[PoundOFun]

09:01 AM on 05/01/2012

Children under the age of 6 should be watched carefully today as well as a 100 years ago...end of story.

[MzKimi2U]

06:26 PM on 04/30/2012

Just so tragic, my sympathies go out to the parents. Before my daughter was born, one of our dogs, a smaller breed who was always friendly ended up killing a kitten. She never showed a sign of aggresion before in her life so this attack surprised us. Turned out she had a brain tumor and anyone (even animals) who get them can show behavioral problems and that is what the vet said happened to our dog. We had her put down and a few months later my daughter was born. I cant even imagine what would have happened if we kept the dog and let her around my baby.