50-Year-Old Grandfather and 3-Month-Old Granddaughter Killed in 'Brutal' Pit Bull Mauling in Tennessee

Two Family Members Found Dead After Apparent Pit Bull Attack in Tullahoma

A grandfather and his three-month-old granddaughter were found dead after an apparent pit bull mauling in Tullahoma, Tennessee, officials said. The Tullahoma Police Department responded at about 3:00 p.m. on Dec. 3 after the Coffee County Communications Center received a call describing 'the apparent mauling by pitbulls' of an adult male and an infant, according to a press release from the office of 14th Judicial District Attorney General Craig Northcott.

Officers arriving at the scene reported that the pit bulls were 'actively mauling the infant,' and first responders said the dogs were killed to stop the attack. 'Regrettably, it was obvious that both victims were deceased,' the district attorney's office said, describing the scene as 'brutal.' Authorities later identified the adult as James Alexander Smith, 50, and the infant as his three-month-old granddaughter.

Neighbors told local outlets that the household kept multiple dogs. One local report said the family owned seven dogs and that some neighbors alleged those animals had previously attacked neighborhood pets. A neighbor, Brian Kirby, told Fox 8 News he arrived home to find a woman screaming and that he had planned to file a police report after his cat was reportedly killed days earlier.

Investigation Under Way

The district attorney's office said investigators are working to determine the precise cause of the adult victim's death and whether the infant was mauling postmortem. The inquiry will also examine any prior violent behavior by these or other dogs in the home and whether there were current or past concerns involving the children that required intervention by the Department of Children’s Services.

No decisions have been announced about whether criminal charges are warranted. The animals that participated in the attack were euthanized at the scene to stop the mauling, while other dogs from the residence were taken into custody by Tullahoma Animal Control pending further action.

Statement: '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,' District Attorney Craig Northcott said.

PEOPLE reported that a GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral and memorial expenses for the victims' family. The Tullahoma Police Department has been contacted for further updates as the investigation continues.