Infant Dies, Toddler Seriously Injured in Central Iowa Dog Attacks

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Des Moines authorities are investigating two separate dog bite incidents from the past week that left an infant dead and a 2-year-old with severe facial injuries. In one case, a 2-year-old child was bitten in the face by a dog that was startled while sleeping. In the other incident, an infant died after being attacked by two dogs in a home. No charges have been filed in either case as the investigations continue.

Why it matters

These tragic incidents highlight the importance of proper supervision and safety precautions when children are around pets, especially dogs. Children may not recognize subtle warning signs from animals, and can inadvertently trigger aggressive behavior during play. The cases underscore the need for greater public awareness and education on preventing dog attacks.

The details

In the first incident on April 3, authorities responded to a report of cardiac arrest at an apartment and found an infant unresponsive, having died from injuries sustained in a dog attack. Two dogs, a shepherd mix and a terrier-bulldog mix, were removed from the home. In the second case on April 5, police were called to a hotel where they found a 2-year-old child with serious facial injuries after being bitten by a dog that was startled while sleeping.

• On April 3, authorities responded to a report of cardiac arrest at an apartment around 6:30 a.m.
• On April 5, authorities responded to a hotel in the 4900 block of Northeast 14th Street just after 8:00 a.m.

What’s next

Authorities are awaiting forensic evidence and autopsy results to determine if any charges will be filed in the two cases. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa has urged caregivers to stay alert and take safety measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring.