Dogs Euthanized After Attacking, Killing Toddler In Union County

ELIZABETH, NJ — Two dogs were euthanized by the City of Elizabeth after they attacked a three-year-old boy earlier in June after he fell from a window and died, officials say.

"The dogs were euthanized last week," said Elizabeth Spokeswoman Ruby Contreras.

Criminal charges related to the attack have yet to be filed.

"The investigation is still ongoing at this time," said officials with the Union County Prosecutor's Office.

The dogs were owned by the toddler's family and had been fenced in the backyard at the time of the attack, said acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca and Police Director Earl Graves.

The tragic attack happened on Wednesday just after 5:25 p.m. when Elizabeth Police went to a home on the 400 block of South 5th Street.

Police found the 3-year-old boy, who had serious injuries from being attacked by the two dogs in the backyard, said Ruotolo.

The child was immediately taken to Trinitas Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 6:30 p.m., said Ruotolo.

No criminal charges associated with this incident have been filed at this time. Anyone with any information about this matter is being urged to contact Prosecutor's Office Detective Richard Acosta at 908-347-0404 or Detective Michael Tambini at 908-472-4301.

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