Family dog that fatally mauled baby has been put down

A family’s dog has been euthanised after mauling their five-week old baby boy to death while the parents were inside the family home.

A family’s dog has been euthanised after mauling their five-week old baby boy to death on the NSW central coast.

The dog, which was desexed and registered, was seized by the council and has since been euthanised.

A Central Coast Council spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au that Council Rangers were “asked to assist with removing the six-year-old American Staffy Terrier from the home”.

“Rangers have taken the dog to a vet and it has been euthanised,” they said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this terrible time. The incident remains a police investigation.”

A young baby boy died on Sunday morning after being mauled by his family’s pet American Staffordshire terrier at Kariong just after 2am.

Police performed CPR on the five-week-old baby before paramedics also unsuccessfully attempted to revive the baby, who died at the scene.

The baby’s parents were the only people home at the time of the attack.

The Council also confirmed a report of an attack had been lodged against the dog last month.

It had mauled a neighbour’s dog after it got into the backyard of the family’s home - just days after the newborn returned home from hospital.

“The dog had a previous attack registered against it last month, which occurred in its own back yard,” the spokesperson said. “The family was undertaking a breed and temperament assessment at the request of Council.”

District Commander Detective Superintendent Darryl Jobson, of Gosford-based Brisbane Water Police, said the incident was “a matter of tragic proportions”.

“A neighbouring dog apparently got into the rear yard and was mauled by this dog, unfortunately,” Superintendent Jobson said.

“That was a separate incident but that will also form part of our investigation.”

District Commander Detective Superintendent Darryl Jobson addressed media at Gosford Police station on Sunday. Picture: Nine News

Superintendent Jobson also said emergency crews who attended the scene were devastated and would receive counselling and support.

“Our police did perform first-aid upon arrival. They did their best in the circumstances and they are no doubt shaken by the incident,” he said.

“Anything to do with children of any type, particularly of this nature, is absolutely traumatic.

“As a commander, it’s not the type of call you want to receive in the middle of the night.”

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Originally published as Family dog that fatally mauled baby has been put down