PORTLAND, Oregon – A tragic incident took place in northeast Portland on Tuesday morning when a 6-year-old boy was attacked and killed by two dogs while he was reportedly preparing for school. The owner of the dogs, who tried desperately to intervene, was also injured during the incident and subsequently hospitalized.
According to a press release from the Portland Police Bureau, officers arrived at the scene to find the boy already deceased. The dogs, described as Great Dane-Mastiff mixes, have been taken into custody by Multnomah County Animal Services.
The attack occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. when the boy’s grandmother dropped him off at a friend’s house, intending for the friend to take him to school. Public Information Officer Mike Benner of the Portland Police Bureau stated that the boy followed the woman into the garage, where the dogs were kept, and one of the dogs launched the attack.
Despite the woman’s efforts to save the boy’s life, the attack proved fatal. Benner expressed the bureau’s condolences, stating, “Our hearts break for this little boy, for his family, for his friends. I mean, anytime something like this happens, it’s a shock to the conscience but to have this happen just weeks before Christmas is unimaginable.”
Upon police arrival, the woman was covered in blood and subsequently treated for minor injuries to her hands. At this time, no charges have been filed against her, but an ongoing investigation into the incident is underway.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the potential danger posed by dogs, especially those of larger breeds. Animal control agencies continue to stress the importance of responsible ownership and proper training to prevent incidents of this nature from occurring.
The local community is deeply saddened by this devastating loss, and support is being offered to the family and friends of the young victim during this difficult time.