On the morning of Tuesday, December 5, 2023, a six-year-old boy from Portland, Oregon, died following a vicious attack by two dogs. The incident took place in the neighborhood of Parkrose Heights, Portland, at the home of a family friend on Northeast 112th Avenue.
According to the Portland Police Bureau, the boy was mauled by two large Great Dane-Mastiff mixes owned by his grandmother’s friend, who was responsible for taking him to school. The attack happened shortly after 7:40 a.m. when the boy entered the garage where the dogs were kept and was attacked.
The homeowner, who regularly cared for the child in the morning, suffered injuries to her hands while trying to save the boy from the dogs. She was later hospitalized for her wounds. PPB Public Information Officer Mike Benner reported that the woman attempted to separate the dogs from the child and reached for a gun, though she did not use it, in her efforts to end the mauling.
The name of the young victim has not been released. The authorities have indicated that the child had been cautioned against approaching the dogs and the garage. Prior to this incident, no aggressive behavior had been reported about these dogs to Multnomah County Animal Services.
Both animals are now under the care of Multnomah County Animal Services, and one has been singled out as the primary attacker. The PPB Child Abuse Team, with support from the Homicide Division, is conducting the investigation. The possibility of criminal charges against the dog owner remains uncertain.