Relatives' pit bulls fatally maul Riverview boy, 4

FLORIDA -- A 4-year-old boy was killed Saturday night when he was mauled by two pit bulls who escaped a crate at a relative’s home in Riverview.

Logan Shepard was discovered in the front yard by two Hillsborough County deputies around 10:30 p.m. while they were conducting an unrelated traffic stop about 100 yards away from the home of the boy’s aunt and uncle, Dolores and Billy Frederick Sr., of 12509 Rhodine Road.

According to deputies, the boy’s uncle crated the pit bulls prior to the arrival of the boy and his mother, Stephanie Groulx, who walked from their home at 12511 Tocci Lane.

While inside, deputies say the boy was given ice cream and was sitting in the family room while the adults and his 15-year-old cousin went into a bedroom to talk.

While in the bedroom, deputies say the adults heard screams and came out to find the boy had left the house.

Upon hearing boy’s screams, the deputies found the boy in the front yard with the two pit bulls standing over him.

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies say.

Hillsborough County Animal Services took possession of the dogs, who have had no prior calls of violent behavior against them, deputies say.

No charges have been filed, but the investigation continues, deputies say.

(Tbo.com - July 20, 2014)