Community Mourns Infant Mauled To Death By Dog In Sherman Oaks

SHERMAN OAKS, CA — The loss of a three-month-old baby mauled to death by her family's dog in Sherman Oaks Saturday has left the community reeling. The girl was attacked when her grandmother left the room to get a bottle, according to police.

Gaia Nova died at a hospital shortly after the attack, the Los Angeles County Coroner's office reported. Because authorities don't know which of the family's three dogs — a Rottweiler, a Labrador Retriever and a terrier — killed the baby, all three pets were taken into animal control custody.

At 3:25 p.m. Saturday, authorities were called to 14400 block of Benefit Street, said Officer Stacy Ball of the Los Angeles Police Department's Van Nuys Station.

"This is a horrible case," Capt. Lillian Carranza of the LAPD's Van Nuys Station told the Los Angeles Times. "It has touched all involved family, friends and first responders. Our hearts go out to the family and friends. As I understand, next Sunday would have been the mother's first Mother's Day."

Both the Rottweiler and the Labrador Retriever weigh almost 100 pounds, and the terrier weighs ten pounds. Authorities have not yet said what fate awaits them.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends," tweeted Carranza of the Van Nuys station. "The Mayor's Crisis Response Team will be by the family's side during this difficult time."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Shutterstock