A 3-month-old baby died in Alabama after being bitten by a "wolf-hybrid" kept as a pet by the family.
Sheriff's deputies, firefighters, and county animal control officers responded to a 911 call regarding an apparent animal attack involving an infant at a home in Chelsea at 12:54 p.m. on Thursday, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
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According to the notice, the infant was rushed to a hospital and pronounced dead owing to injuries sustained by the animal.
A canine with wolf and dog lineage is referred to as a wolf-hybrid. On Saturday, Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans verified that the family knew the dog's wolf ancestry.
The animal was euthanized at the scene at the request of law officers and transported to the Alabama State Diagnostics Laboratory.
Evans stated that the death was still being investigated and that an autopsy would be performed.
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"We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate and tragic event," said Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer in a statement released Friday. "We lift up the family and all those affected with our deepest prayers and thoughts."
Picklesimer said that Alabama is one of just four states that allow exotic pet ownership. He issued a warning to exotic pet owners.
"It's just unthinkable that this could happen to this baby," he went on to say. "If you choose to own an exotic pet, what comes with that is additional responsibilities to be sure that not only your family is safe, but your neighbours are safe."
According to the US Census, Chelsea is roughly 20 miles southeast of Birmingham and has a population of about 16,000 people.
