15-Month-Old Boy Who Was Held by His Mother in Italy Dies After Being Bitten by a Dangerous Dog

15-Month-Old Baby Bitten by Neighbor's Fierce Dog in Italy
"A Wake-Up Call for Those Raising Fierce Dogs"

In Italy, a 15-month-old boy died after being bitten by two pit bull terriers while in his mother's arms. On the 22nd (local time), ANSA reported that a dog bite incident occurred around 8 a.m. in the village of Campolongo near Salerno in southern Italy.

Mario Conte, the mayor of Eboli, which includes Campolongo, said, "This morning, a baby in his mother's arms was attacked by dogs," adding, "The baby's uncle tried to separate them, but it was no use." He described the incident as "a tragedy that has shocked the entire community" and added, "It should serve as a warning to those who keep such dangerous dogs."

The scene of the fatal dog bite incident in the Campolongo village. [Image source=Italy ANSA News Agency]

The accident happened in the yard of a two-story house in an instant. As the baby's mother and uncle were stepping out the front door, two pit bull terriers suddenly charged at them. When the ambulance arrived, the baby was already deceased. The baby's mother was also bitten on her arm and wrist and was reportedly transported to the hospital due to psychological shock. The pit bull terriers involved in the incident belonged to another family living in the two-story house, who were friends of the victim's mother.

The police are investigating the detailed circumstances of the incident, including why the dogs were not restrained at the time. The pit bull terriers that bit the baby were sent to the Salerno animal shelter, where a decision on euthanasia will be made.

Pit Bull Terrier. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Korea Kennel Club]

Pit bull terriers are a breed created by crossing the British bulldog and terrier and are known as representative fighting dogs. They are usually quiet and calm but once they bite, they never let go and have a very strong obsession with their target. They are considered the "most dangerous dog in the world," requiring consistent training.

Earlier in February, a 39-year-old man was killed after being bitten by three Rottweilers while jogging in the Manciana forest on the outskirts of Rome. The Italian consumer protection organization Codacons pointed out that nearly 70,000 dog bite incidents occur annually and emphasized the need for measures to ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, in South Korea, dog bite incidents continue every year. As of 2022, there are 5.44 million pet dogs in 4.5 million households, and dog bite incidents exceed 2,000 cases annually. Due to ongoing concerns about dog bites, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced plans to actively promote strengthened pet dog safety management measures, including the introduction of a dangerous dog breeding permit system and temperament evaluation system.

A key part of the pet dog safety management strategy prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is the dangerous dog breeding permit system and temperament evaluation system. Those who wish to breed dangerous dogs must meet certain requirements, undergo temperament evaluation, and obtain permission from the mayor or governor. Dangerous dogs include the Dosa dog, pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Rottweiler, and their hybrids, as well as breeds designated as dangerous based on temperament evaluation results.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.