A grandfather and his 3-month-old granddaughter were found dead in their Tennessee home — apparently mauled to death by the family’s pack of pit bulls that were known to terrorize the neighborhood.
The lifeless body of James Alexander Smith, 50, was found inside the Tullahoma home Wednesday afternoon while the tiny tot was still being attacked by their 7 dogs, all of which police had to gun down to reach the bloodied victims, according to the 14th Judicial District Attorney General.
The infant had tragically died by the time cops fought their way to her.
Authorities are now investigating whether the pair were mauled to death or were already dead before the dog attack.
“This was an especially difficult and brutal scene,” Attorney General Craig Northcott said in the release.
“Please pray for the family of the victims in this difficult time as well as the first responders as they cope with the trauma from what they witnessed.”
Neighbor Brian Kirby — who said the same pack killed his beloved cat just a week earlier — came home from work to find the infant’s mom screaming in the middle of the street moments before police arrived.
When he offered help, the hysterical woman darted back into the devastated Warren Street home. Kirby admitted he’d witnessed the dogs attack other animals in the neighborhood — even his own pet — but never imagined they’d turn on people, FOX 8 reported.
“I don’t believe that they thought this would ever happen,” the neighbor told the outlet.
“I’m sure it was not done on purpose. I think that people just have animals, and they just need to put them on a leash better; that’s all. And I’m not blaming them for what happened at all. I know that they’re devastated more than we are because it’s their family,” he continued.
“It’s just hard to understand and wrap your head around it.”
Rebecca Adams, who lived across the street from the gutted family, said the newborn’s heartbroken mother was shrieking “my baby” as authorities swarmed the carnage-filled home.
She said the pit bulls constantly broke loose from the yard and went after other neighborhood pets.
“They’d run after cats, they’d run after dogs, you know, animal things,” Adams told WSMV.
“I could see them be aggressive towards animals. Never did I think they would do that to the kids.”
Officials said the surviving dogs were taken into custody by Tullahoma Animal Control.
Authorities are also reviewing the dogs’ history of aggression and whether prior issues involving the children and the Department of Children’s Service contributed to the tragedy, the AG said.
The house was condemned due to its condition, according to a GoFundMe started by the family.
Officials have not yet determined whether criminal charges will be filed.
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