The Danville Police Department is investigating after an 8-year-old male died from injuries suffered from an attack by the family dog.

On Tuesday, Aug. 26 just after 8 pm officers responded to the 700 block of Berryman Avenue where the child was found unresponsive inside of a residence with apparent signs of trauma to his neck consistent with an animal bite.

At the time of the attack, the 8-year-old was in the care of his teenage sister. According to the family, the dog was not previously known to be aggressive.

The four-year-old dog was located inside the house and was seized and transported to the Danville Area Humane Society.

This incident remains under investigation.

The Danville Area Humane Society released a statement on Wednesday.:

We join the entire community in grieving for the loss of a young, innocent life last night. As the public animal shelter and by order of the Health Department, it is our responsibility to quarantine the dog for ten days as required by the laws regarding rabies. The owner signed ownership of the dog to us.

During those ten days, if the dog becomes sick, we will contact the Health Department for guidance. Also, if at any time we feel that our staff members’ safety is at significant risk, we will contact the Health Department. In either of those cases, the Health Department may order us to euthanize the dog and the body will be tested for rabies.

At the end of the ten days if neither of those scenarios have happened, the Health Department will release the dog from quarantine.

We will not put the dog up for adoption, nor will we transfer him to any group or sanctuary for rehabilitation. We will euthanize him.

This will anger some people. But, the dog killed a child. A helpless child. His family and friends, as well as the police department and other first responders will bear emotional scars from what they saw.

It is a tragedy from first sentence to last sentence.