4-Year-Old Alabama Girl Mauled To Death By Loose Dogs While Playing In Her Yard

ALABAMA -- A 4-year-old Alabama girl was playing in her yard Wednesday when she was apparently mauled to death by neighborhood dogs.

Tallassee police say its unclear how many dogs were involved.

Her grandparents were babysitting her at the time of the attack.

"Her grandfather went out to check on her and spotted a large dog standing over her," Police Chief Jimmy Rodgers told First Coast News. "He said it appeared to him that the dog was trying to drag her off."

Her grandfather yelled at the dog and it ran away. He called 911.

The girl was pronounced death at the scene. Her body had wounds resembling bite marks and scratches, Rodgers said.

"I've been here 17 years, and this is the first time we have had a child killed in a dog mauling," Rodgers said.

An autopsy is pending, according to Tallapoosa County District Attorney E. Paul Jones.

Police rounded up two dogs they believe were involved, a large shepherd mix and a Labrador retriever mix.

Authorities are seeking a court order to have the animals destroyed.

"We are working with the district attorney's office to determine what, if anything, can be done to the dogs," Rodgers said. "We have identified the owner of the shepherd mix. We are investigating to see if any criminal charges can be filed."

In the city of Tallahassee it's illegal for dogs to be at large, but the county of Tallapoosa has no such law.

(Opposing Views - Feb 28, 2014)