An eighteen-month-old boy was
mauled to death by two Dogo Argentino (Argentinian Mastiff) dogs
at Mascalucia near Catania Tuesday.
The boy's mother, who tried to protect her son, was injured.
The toddler was 'coptered to hospital but was pronounced
dead on arrival.
The dogs have been impounded by local authorities.
The mother, 34, who was alone with her son when the dogs
attacked, has been placed under investigation in what police
said was a formality needed for the autopsy.
"Today is a tragic day for Mascalucia," Deputy Mayor Fabio
Cantarella said on Facebook.
The Dogo Argentino is a large, white, muscular dog that was
developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game
hunting, including wild boar.
Its breeders also wanted a dog that would exhibit steadfast
bravery and willingly protect its human companion to the death.
It was first bred in 1928, from the Cordoba Fighting Dog
along with a wide array of other breeds including the Great
Dane.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
