Crime & Safety

Pair Of Pit Bulls Kill 3-Year-Old Child At Carteret Home

A 3-year-old boy was killed by two pit bulls at a home in Middlesex County on Tuesday, and his mother severely injured.

(Rachel Nunes/Patch)

CARTERET, NJ — A 3-year-old child was killed and his mother severely injured when they were attacked by a pair of pit bulls at a private home in Carteret on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's office.

The dog attack happened at a private home on Laurel Street, said Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman. Here is an update and interview with neighbors from the scene: Carteret In Stunned Mourning After Boy, 3, Killed By 2 Pit Bulls

The attack happened at approximately 4:29 p.m. Two pit bulls from a neighboring home on Birch Street in Carteret entered through the backyard of a home on Laurel Street and attacked the 3-year-old boy and his mother, said Reiman.

Find out what's happening in Woodbridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The boy was transported by helicopter and his mother was transported by ambulance to receive emergency medical care.

The boy succumbed to his injuries Tuesday evening and the mother remains hospitalized.

Find out what's happening in Woodbridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

According to municipal records from the Board of Health, the dogs were not registered with the town, as is required by law.

"Our prayers are with the family affected by a dog attack at a private residence on Laurel St.," said Reiman in a post on his Facebook page. "Thank you to the first responders who rushed in to attend to the victims, who are being transported by helicopter for emergency medical care. That’s all the information we have at this time."

Here is video from the scene from ABC:

The investigation is active and continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Anthony Ramos of the Carteret Police Department at (732)541-4181 or Detective Mark Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4194.

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.

Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this reporter: carly.baldwin@patch.com

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Woodbridge