Central Texas Baby Mauled By Dog Now In Houston Hospital

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(June 19, 2008)--A 5-month-old baby attacked by a rottweiler after he was left unattended on a sofa has been transferred to a Houston hospital with multiple injuries, Bryan police say.

The attack happened early Wednesday morning after the child's mother, a 26-year-old Waco woman, went upstairs to take a shower, during a visit to her father-in-law’s home in Bryan.

She returned to find the dog dragging her son around by his head.

It's unclear if anyone else was home at the time.

The baby was first taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Bryan and then was transferred to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, police said.

The infant’s condition wasn't immediately available.

Robert Thompson, the dog's owner and the infant's grandfather, voluntarily gave the dog up to Bryan Police Animal Control.

Authorities said the dog would be euthanized.

Bryan police Sgt. Walt Melnyk said Thompson lived at the residence but was not home when the attack happened.

Melnyk told The Associated Press no charges had been filed.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Susan Location: Waco on Jun 26, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Hello KWTX can we get an update!!

Posted by: Linz Location: Temple on Jun 20, 2008 at 01:58 PM
TAL in Killeen...I read the news here alot and have seen this same picture before also. Yes, it's clearly not a Rot that's why people are saying what they are. Maybe Trina needs a new pair of glasses. Oh, and her 2nd post was just plain sick.

Posted by: anonymous Location: Austin on Jun 20, 2008 at 01:30 PM
The mother should be investigated and made to attend parenting classes as it is clear she has no clue about protecting her child. Babies can feel pain and they are helpless and completely dependent on the parents. What were you thinking?

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 20, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I've seen that picture before too. It's clearly not a Rot but Trina doesn't see that. She's just posting sick ignorance like TAL in Killeen. God Bless The Baby and euthanize the stupid that are making fun of the tragedy.

Posted by: Susan Location: Waco on Jun 20, 2008 at 12:31 PM
FYI- that is good to know. Keep the updates coming.

Posted by: glc Location: Waco on Jun 20, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Just more proof people need to remember dogs are animals and should be outside where animals belong. I just can't understand people being so stupid to let something like this happen to a precious baby. You always want to be where you can see babies.

Posted by: Ktown girl Location: Killeen on Jun 20, 2008 at 12:01 PM
THIS IS NOT A "ROTT" IN THE PICTURE. WHY ARE THEY POSTING PICTURES OF OTHER DOGS. IT IS VERY FUNNY ON HOW SOMEONE SAID HE LOOKS VERY SKINNY. HOW SOMEONE ELSE SAID HE LOOKS LIKE HE DONT KNOW WHAT HE DID IN THE PICTURE. THE PICTURE ITSELF CAN MAKE YOU LAUGH. IM WITH YOU ON THAT ONE FROM TEMPLE. ON ANOTHER NOTE.. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN INFANT.. THIS COULD'VE BEEN THE FAMILY DOG FOR YEARS, THE MOTHER ASSUMED NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. YES SHE IS WRONG ON HER PART. JUST PRAY THE BABY MAKES PROGRESS FROM INJURIES. PITS, ROTTS, YORKIES, WHAT HAVE YOU... THEY ALL NEED TO BE TAMED WHEN BABIES ARE AROUND.

Posted by: TAL Location: Killeen on Jun 20, 2008 at 11:51 AM
So many stories about dogs and children. Is this about the story, or this person name Trina. she has a good point. not to mention the rest of you who say the mother is at fault. Things happen like this everyday. You all are treating this as a gossip forum. Do we know if the baby is ok? Are you not satisfied that the dog will get put down? CD..you must spend too much of your time on here to know they repost the same pictures. We clearly know that is not a ROT. God bless the baby.

Posted by: Mother of 2 infants Location: Waco on Jun 20, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I have two infant boys. To shower, I strap them into their bouncy seats and set them in the bathroom. If they cry, I let them, at least I can see them. Sometimes, I don't get to shower when I want. That's a mothers sacrifice. You NEVER EVER leave a baby unattended, anywhere. Pets are only one of many dangers for unattended infants. If this mother is not somehow held accountable, will she learn anything, who knows. But the safety of a child is not negotiable.

Posted by: CD Location: Belton on Jun 20, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Trina~~~ not only are you sick, you're very dumb! The pic above is one KWTX uses for any story of dogs that they don't have the actual pic of. Does the dog look like a Rottweiler to you?? HELLO!! I've seen this same picture many times. I guess you just started posting on this website and don't know how to behave yourself. This forum is not MySpace or YouTube! GROW UP!

Posted by: FYI Location: Bryan on Jun 20, 2008 at 10:57 AM
OKAY LOOK I WANT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THE BABY IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND IS BREATHING FINE. HE IS DOING WELL AND WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS. KEEP EM COMING. THANKS TO THOSE WHO ARE WITH US...

Posted by: momof1 Location: teague on Jun 20, 2008 at 10:25 AM
what kind of mother would leave a baby downstairs on a couch while she was upstairs in the shower knowing she couldnt hear the baby ? i wouldn't have left my baby where a cat could get to it much less a huge dog ...... i pray the baby recovers and i hope the mother takes some parenting classes or at least gets some common sense before the baby is returned to her

Posted by: Betty Location: Moody on Jun 20, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Why did the mother of this 5 month old baby leave him on the couch alone anyways? Where was the dog when the mother went into the shower? Too many unanswered questions!! The mother should be charged with Injury to a Child thru negligence!!

Posted by: thumps Location: tx on Jun 20, 2008 at 09:08 AM
ok im sorry to hear that the child was put in that type of place. that is sad but why whould the mother put the baby on the couch by itself. we know in our minds that dogs can bite people but yet we still place kids bythemselves with animals that are bigger then the kids. ok not all animals are the same but we know that if ANY one pulls the tail or grabs the skin or fur of a dog it will most likly get mad right well then, why is all this still happing and still blaming the dogs. can we put the dog out or up in the kennel. i dont mean this in all cases. prayers go out to the child. oh and can we please ask the mom why she had to take a shower and leave her 5 month old by herself.

Posted by: TRINA Location: TEMPLE on Jun 20, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Why everyone on here bashing what I say. It's not my fault the baby got the worst of it. I have kids and a dog. Yet he is a yorkie, I still would not leave my baby downstairs on the couch. But I am serious.. Maybe y'all not understanding what I am trying to say. Dogs like to hump. Hello! A baby wrapped up, that small... he probably didnt know any better. Now he looking like he dont understand what he did in that photo shown, and honestly none of us know either. Does anybody else need justification?

Posted by: D Location: Southtexas on Jun 20, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Boy it don't take long for the ol Pit Bull bangers to start. This had nothing to do with a Pit Bull, but yet brought into it. I have raised 3 pit bulls from puppies and they were raised with my daughters. Some people need to get a life and stay out of other people's business.

Posted by: From 'round here Location: Gatesville on Jun 20, 2008 at 08:28 AM
I am quite astonished by some of the comments i'm reading. Trina, that is absolutely disgusting and uncalled for. We're talking about a baby for heaven's sake. We all agree that it is difficult to do anything with young children, but difficult or not, common sense and instinct should come into play...never leave a baby unattended unless they are safely placed in their baby bed. Animals are just that...animals. They have minds of their own no matter how well we teach and/or train them. Although the mother made bad choices, it was just that, a mistake...can we please get past all the name calling and stop beating her up? I'm sure she's doing enough of that to herself. As for the dog, I would most certainly put it down...a child's life has far more value than that of a dog. Better believe that a dog will die the second it attacks one of my kids no matter what the breed!!!! My condolensces and prayers are with the family...praying for a full recovery.

Posted by: Linda Location: Bell on Jun 19, 2008 at 10:34 PM
The mother should have never left her baby downstairs with a dog, that never knew the baby. Dogs have to get use to a new person all dogs see new people as strangers, just because the dog knows you, that dosen't mean the dog knows your baby. I'm sorry about the baby I hope the baby is okay, and I hope the best for the family.

Posted by: anonymous on Jun 19, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Trina...you need your head examined. The comments you are making are just stupid. You must not have any children. If you do, I feel sorry for them!

Posted by: JJ Location: Kempner on Jun 19, 2008 at 08:20 PM
My mother's Chihuahua is meaner that both of my rottweilers put together. I am a mother of a 4 month old who knows how to roll and would never leave him on the couch unattended and definitely not unattended in a house with any kind of animal. I don't even trust my cats around my child.

Posted by: Angela Location: Not Texas on Jun 19, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Why no charges? Is there no such charge as neglect in Texas?If this isn't neglect I don't know what is!This "mother" doesn't sound like she has enough intelligence to raise children!You simply DON'T leave a child alone with a dog in the house and go take a shower moron! I do hope the child has been removed from her care at the very least!

Posted by: Karen Location: Waco on Jun 19, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Yes, please, euthanize the mother first!

Posted by: NANA Location: CENTRAL TX on Jun 19, 2008 at 03:22 PM
I HOPE THIS POOR BABY BE ALRIGHT NAD PULL THROUGH THIS BUT AS FOR THE MOTHER. JEFF IN LAMPASAS SAID IT RIGHT EUTHANIZE THE MOTHER NOT THE DOG I AM SURE HE WAS THINKING IT WAS A STUFFED ANIMAL IR A TOY FOR HIM TO PLAY WITH.BLESSINGS

Posted by: angie Location: waco on Jun 19, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Ok, the picture of the dog at the top is not a rottie. If that's the dog that did it he was probably hungry. He looks too dadgum skinny to me! I pray the baby makes a full recovery! I also agree with XM! I don't have children but my sister has 2 boys & when they were babies it was hard to be able to take a shower, or anything truth be told!! SO, I really don't blame the mother. I'm sure she feels bad enough for what happened. God bless!

Posted by: Not U Location: CenTex on Jun 19, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Trina Again ~~~that was one very SICK comment!

Posted by: Trudy Location: Lampasas on Jun 19, 2008 at 02:43 PM
We have Rottweilers and 5 grandchildren and we NEVER leave our dogs with the children. We are always with them - our dogs are great and they have never harmed any of our grandchildren, but they are animals and all animals are unpredictable. NEVER NEVER leave any dog alone with a child especially a 5 month old. That baby should have been with the mother upstairs. Too bad about the dog. I pray that the baby is okay.

Posted by: anonymous Location: Austin on Jun 19, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Rottwieler? Another breed that should be banned around children. They are second to a pit bull. By the way, to all people defending pit bulls and rottweilers. You can NEVER convince me they are safe for a child to be around. They are unpredictable. I hope those responsible for these maulings go straight to jail and pay huge amounts for your irresponsiblity. I am for the children EVERY TIME. NO dog is worth a child's life. We all should be furious at this happening so much. Don't believe the owner if they tell you their dog is friendly and wouldn't hurt anyone. They cannot tell you that as they cannot know what their dog would do at any given time. I say stay away from them and keep your children away from these unpredictable breeds.

Posted by: Susan Location: Waco on Jun 19, 2008 at 02:12 PM
I don't think the mother meant anything by leaving the baby on the couch sleeping. I have done this before, when I was home alone and my baby was sleep with a pillow around him so he couldn't roll left him on the couch or my bed. When the baby is sleep that is when you try to get as much as you can done . Now she probably didn't want to move the baby to the crib because he would of woke up.

Posted by: CD Location: Belton on Jun 19, 2008 at 02:03 PM
The mother surley should not have left a 5 month old baby alone on a couch..dog or no dog! But Erin in Belton, your whole comment is pathetic. Ankle biters are just that (ankle biters)..they don't kill! Rot and Pits are sectioned out because they do have the tools to do "serious damage".... Duh!!

Posted by: common sense Location: earth on Jun 19, 2008 at 01:04 PM
to Chris/Waco, 1st, not all pitbulls are aggressive by nature! Some are great loyal pets! So don't just lump them all in the same category! This is tragic event. My prayers to the family. All animals need supervision just like our children need our supervision. This mother made a very wrong decision and now she must live with the consequences. I doubt at the time she thought her child would be harmed by the family pet! Please give her a break as well as the poor pet!

Posted by: susiebw Location: kempner on Jun 19, 2008 at 12:28 PM
When are people going to stop keeping those animals that are dangerous to kids. That's two today, one 5 year old dead and a 5 month old mauled.

Posted by: Marla on Jun 19, 2008 at 11:39 AM
The whole thing is tragic. Certainly I hope the baby is fine. The dog is being punished for the mom's stupidity. 5 mos. old, unattended & downstairs? Are you kidding me?! She's not fit to parent.

Posted by: XM Location: Fort Hood on Jun 19, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Wow,my prayers are with them during this time. I personally would have taken the child upstairs with me,but did she leave him on the couch because he was asleep and thought she could take a quick shower? I mean, i think many people have done this try and sneak in a shower while the kids are asleep. I would never leave the child around an animal, but hey thats just me.

Posted by: Trina-again Location: Temple on Jun 19, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Jeff.. that made me laugh for the day!! Some parents just dont expect things like that to happen. I told my co worker, he probably thought it was a teddy bear or something, so he dragged the baby down to get busy with it.

Posted by: Shari Location: Waco on Jun 19, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Poor Baby!! You dont leave a 5 month old baby on a sofa at all unattended. They can roll off. She should have taken the baby and put him in his baby bed. She acted irresponable. This is a baby!! I hope he has a full recovery. The dog shouldn't have to pay for her mistake. Iam a animal lover too but you just don't leave a baby were a animal can get to him.

Posted by: anonymous Location: clifton on Jun 19, 2008 at 10:57 AM
although many people want to blame the dog, what about the human who left this child alone, not to mention on a couch, where he could easily roll off. i have a 6 month old and i just dont understand how people can be so careless. this is your CHILD, whom you gave birth to! nowadays that means nothing to people. children arent thought of as precious miracles anymore, just objects. this makes me sad. people need to grow up and take responsibility.

Posted by: Chris Location: Waco on Jun 19, 2008 at 10:30 AM
That is sad...hate to hear those kind of stories. I agree the dog may not have been used to have an infant in the home and just didn't know any better. If this was an aggressive dog by nature, say a Pitbull, than the owner has to take extreme caution in watching their dog.

Posted by: Erin Location: Belton on Jun 19, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I wish there was a story like this every time someones ankle biter grabs some kid in the face! I wish these dogs weren't sectioned out so much. There are much more vicious breeds, these guys just have the tools to do serious damage. It is a shame that anyone would leave their kid alone with ANY dog. All breeds have the ability to harm a child, I think it's time parents woke up and realized that you can't trust kids with dogs. I hope the child is alright. Honestly, the mother should have to answer to someone in my opinion.

Posted by: CJ Location: Hewitt on Jun 19, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I don't understand why she didn't take the infant WITH her upstairs to the bathroom while she showered? I just don't get it. I hope he will be ok. The dog didn't know any different, he probably thought the baby was a new toy for him.

Posted by: Jeff Location: Lampasas on Jun 19, 2008 at 09:58 AM
They should euthanize the mother for leaving the baby down stairs with the dog.

Posted by: Trina Location: Temple on Jun 19, 2008 at 09:27 AM
This is sad. I hope the baby pulls through on recoveries. Im glad that the grandfather gave the dog up.. although that must of have been hard to. Dogs have minds of their own these days, and probably was not used to another human in the house.

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