8-year-old family dog kills Georgia toddler

Michael King, WXIA-TV, Atlanta | USATODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Toddler killed by family pitbull Authorities said the 2 year old's mother had just stepped away to go to the restroom, when the pitbull attacked. Neighbors said the family pet had no history of aggression.

Dog that attacked is a pit bull

2-year-old was left in room with it for a moment

But it was enough time to be fatal to the child

UNION CITY, Ga. — A family dog who had never shown aggression before attacked and killed a 2-year-old boy Wednesday in a subdivision near here about 15 miles southwest of Atlanta, police said.

The mother, Angela Rutledge, and her son, Beau, were at home with their pit bull at about 1:30 p.m., investigators said. She told investigators that she left the room for a moment to go to the bathroom, but when she returned it was clear that the dog had attacked her son, killing him before she could call 911 for aid.

First responders were able to corral the dog in the bathroom until Animal Control officers arrived. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Clearly, they were rattled when they came out from what they saw," said Detective Melissa Parker of the Fulton County Police Department. "Some were in tears."

The grief-stricken Rutledge was taken to the hospital; her husband, Jermiah Rutledge, was subdued with a Taser after he came home and also became hysterical, police said.

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The dog was taken to the Fulton County Animal Shelter, where it is being evaluated in isolation. Officers were not certain if the dog would be killed.

Police said Wednesday that no crime had been committed, and no charges had been filed as of Thursday.

Contributing: The Associated Press