Infant killed by family dog

HERTFORD, N.C. (WAVY) - A 10-month-old North Carolina boy was killed by the family dog Tuesday night.

The attack took place just after 6 p.m. at the child's grandparents' home on West Railroad Avenue in Hertford. Family identified the boy as James Hudson. He was pronounced dead at Albemarle Hospital.

"He was a beautiful young boy," said Kent Bowser, the child's grandfather. "A very intelligent, happy, young boy."

Bowser says Hudson's grandmother was watching him play on the bed when he was suddenly attacked, by the mixed breed named "Copper." Hudson's grandmother tried to physically restrain the dog but was not successful.

Bowser says the room was covered in blood.

"There was screaming going on," said Bowser. "I was kind of in shock myself. Even though I saw what was going on, I still couldn't put together in my head what was going on."

Bowser helped carry the baby to the front porch where family members tried to put bandages on the baby's wounds.

"We prayed to God the whole time we was doing it." said Bowser, fighting back tears.

The family found Copper roaming the streets two years ago and decided to adopt him. Bowser says the dog had attacked someone once before, but was always gentle with family and the baby. He's not sure what made Copper attack this time.

"We are just walking around in a cloud right now, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together to try to understand why the events happened the way they did," said Bowser.

Part of his pain is the guilt. He will always wonder if he could have done something to save Baby James. He hopes other parents and grandparents will learn from this story.

"If you have children and you have animals, make sure you totally understand the relationship you have with your animals and your pets," said Bowser. "Go with your gut. If your gut tells you something ain't right. just go with your gut."

As for the dog, it will be put down. It is currently confined at the Tri-County Animal Shelter. Officials at the shelter told WAVY.com the dog was a Labrador - American Bulldog mix. The dog's owner and police identified the animal as a "pit bull mix."