BATON ROUGE – A 7-year-old girl was attacked and killed Friday night by a dog, and the animal’s owner is now charged with manslaughter.
According to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to assist EMS and the St. George Fire Department on the scene at about 6:35 p.m. .
In a statement Saturday, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System identified the girl as 7-year-old Sadie Davila, a first grader at Woodlawn Elementary School.
The dog’s owner, identified as 20-year-old Eric Lopez, was arrested and booked Saturday at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of manslaughter.
Davila staged a “fashion show” when Lopez’s pitbull “viciously attacked her” outside the family’s home about 150 yards from her home, according to new details released Monday night by the family’s attorney. Was.
According to reports, Davila was wearing a princess costume, exiting the side door of the house and walking through the front door, which served as her “runway” when the dogs attacked. Davila’s grandmother and others were at home when it happened.
Relatives tried to repel the dog by hitting it with a cane, but it did not respond.
The girl was taken to hospital, where she was bitten several times in the face by a dog and suffered a severe skull injury. She later died from her injuries, her agent said.
EBR Schools Superintendent Dr. Sito Narcisse issued a statement Saturday addressing the tragic loss of one of his students.
Read the full school system statement here
Lopez told lawmakers that he did not keep the dog on a leash during the attack, violating parish law. He said he wasn’t home at the time, and he let the dog roam freely without restraint before he left.
Sheriff Sid Goatrow said, “This is a terrible and heartbreaking tragedy. My heart goes out to this family and they remain in my prayers.”
Animal control officials told WBRZ they found the pitbull with blood on his face and mouth. The dog was captured Friday night and euthanized. Her body has been tested for rabies, and the results should come out by next week.
Lopez’s bond was set at $7,500.
