AKRON, Ohio — A 16-month-old girl is dead after being mauled by at least one dog during a fight outside an Akron home Sunday, according to the Akron Police Department.
Around 10:30 a.m., officers were called to the 300 block of Westmoreland Street for report of a child attacked by a dog.
Police said the toddler's parents dropped her off at her 20-year-old uncle's home Sunday morning.
Investigators said preliminary information indicated there was a fight between the girl's uncle and a woman outside the home.
During the altercation, the girl was attacked in the living room by at least one of the family's two pit bulls, police said.
"While they were outside the home engaged in this altercation, the little girl was left inside the house with the two family pets," said Akron Police Chief Stephen Mylett. "As the disturbance, fight was occurring outside, it's believed the dogs reacted and turned their aggression to this beautiful 16-month-old little girl."
The girl was transported to Akron Children's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
On Monday, the Summit County Medical Examiner identified the child as Kavay Calderon-Louis.
Police said it's not clear if the girl was bitten by one or both dogs.
"I'm reluctant to lay blame or responsibility on anybody right now at this point," said Mylett. "The family is mourning the loss of the 16-month-old baby, but rest assured we're going to get to the bottom of what happened."
Animal Control workers responded to the scene and took possession of the dogs. Akron police said one of the dogs had bitten a mail carrier in the past, but they were unsure if it was the dog that attacked the girl.
Richard Turner who lives near the family said the attack on the mailman happened last summer.
"He went to deliver their mail and the dogs bolted out of the house and bit him in the leg," said Turner.
Turner said since the incident he won't let his grandkids play outside his home.
"Oh yeah, I'm scared of them," said Turner.
Turner, who watched rescuers carry the little girl from the house Sunday said he believes the attack could have been prevented.
"It could have," said Turner. "I think because of the incident with the mailman, they should have, in my opinion, got rid of the dogs."
The incident, which the Akron police chief called "horrific and tragic," is still under investigation.
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