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NEWMAN — A 2-year-old boy was attacked by a family dog in Newman Wednesday and later died at the hospital.

The attack happened Thursday afternoon in the backyard of a home on Pine Street near Inyo Avenue.

The police department reports a large pitbull-mastiff mix bit the child multiple times.

“Just an overall tragic, unfortunate event,” Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Sergeant Joshua Clayton said.

After being taken to Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, the child died, according to police.

Police report the dog has been impounded and will be put down.

An investigation into the deadly attack has been launched by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.

Neighbor Julia Hernandez says the same dog that killed the boy recently tried to attack her own dogs. She said this wasn’t the first time the dog lunged at the toddler.

“I’ve also seen the dog try to bite him,” Hernandez said.

Heartbroken families say they’ll miss the playful toddler often seen playing in the front yard.

“He was a cute little boy. He was just so cute and always so happy, and then his parents out there just playing with him,” neighbor Ashley Almizon said. “I have two boys myself and so it just really hit home and I can only imagine what those poor parents are going through.”

No arrests have been made.

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