A 3-day-old baby boy was mauled to death by a family dog in Mira Mesa, San Diego police confirmed Friday.
The incident happened Thursday evening at a home in the 3300 block of Flanders Drive, police said.
Police told 10News the newborn was in bed with the parents and the dog when the child's mother coughed. The dog was apparently startled by the cough and suddenly attacked the baby, police said.
The newborn was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Detectives were investigating the child's death, though it "appears to be just a tragic accident," SDPD Sgt. Tu Nguyen said.
The dog, identified by County Animal Services officials as a two-year-old mixed breed American Staffordshire terrier named Polo, was taken from the home and is under quarantine.
Animal Services spokesman Dan DeSousa said the dog will remain under quarantine for 10 days to make sure he is not rabid, after which he will be euthanized unless his owners decide to reclaim him.
The dog had no known prior history of dangerous aggressiveness, DeSousa said.
