The 2-year-old pit bull named Diesel was in the family's living room playing with Lisa M. Cittadino's three daughters ages 7, 10 and 12, police said. Cittadino, 32, toid police she turned her back momentarily and then heard screams from her son and daughters.
Cittadino said she saw the dog attacking her son, and began to frantically try to get the dog to release his grip on her child, police said. Once the dog let go, she called 911 and began giving her son first aid, police said.
Police said the child was near the dog's food dish at the time of the attack, and that may have precipitated the attack.
The child was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Utica, police said, where he died as a result of injuries to his neck and face, deputies said.
The dog was taken by the Verona animal officer, and will be euthanized at the owner's request.
Deputies said Cittadino said the dog has never been aggressive in the past.
The family has been offered counseling.
The Onondaga County Medical Examiner's officer will conduct an autopsy.
until they snap. Another innocent little life gone at the hand of the babysitter, tea-party dog. When will people stop believing the lies of the psychopathic pitbull advocates.