14-Month-Old Boy Hospitalized After Family Dog Attack in Hallandale Beach

Neighbors say the dog had never shown aggression before the incident.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:37am

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A 14-month-old boy was hospitalized after being attacked by his family's dog in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The child's mother was briefly distracted while changing the boy's diaper when the dog attacked. The mother was able to pull the child away, and he was airlifted to the hospital for treatment. The child's father surrendered the dog to authorities, who say the incident is still under investigation.

Why it matters

Dog attacks on young children can have devastating consequences, raising concerns about pet ownership, child safety, and the need for responsible pet ownership and training. This incident has shaken the local community, who describe the family as good people and the dog as previously non-aggressive.

The details

According to police, the 14-month-old boy was attacked by the family dog while his mother was briefly distracted while changing his diaper. The mother was able to pull the child away from the dog, and the child was airlifted to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital for treatment. The child's father surrendered the dog to Broward County Animal Care and Control shortly after the attack.

  • The incident occurred on February 21, 2026.

The players

Broward County Animal Care and Control

The local animal control agency that took custody of the dog after the attack.

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

The hospital where the 14-month-old boy was airlifted for treatment after the dog attack.

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What they’re saying

“He walked his dog a lot, but the dog was not aggressive.”

— Roy Green, Neighbor (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

Broward County Animal Care and Control is still investigating the incident to determine if any further action will be taken.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership, proper training, and close supervision when young children are around family pets, even those that have not shown aggression in the past.