A seven-year-old Louisiana girl was mauled to death by a freely roaming pit bull while playing outside a relative’s home.
Sadie Davila, of East Baton Rouge, was rushed to the hospital after the dog attacked her on Friday night, and the child passed away from her grave injuries, WAFB reports.
The dog’s owner, Erick Chinchilla Lopez, 20, a neighbor of Sadie’s relative, was arrested and charged with negligent homicide for failing to confine or restrain the dog.
Sadie’s parents were left devastated by their daughter’s death, with mother Haley Anselmo demanding justice for her shattered family.
‘My mini me. The light in my heart,’ Anselmo wrote on Facebook in describing her daughter. ‘Words don’t exist for what this feeling is.
‘My family is shattered. Please pray for us. Pray they press charges on the dog’s owners & hold them responsible.’
Sadie Davila (left), 7, of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was mauled to death by a roaming pit bull on Friday night. Her mother, Haley Anselmo (right) said her family is shattered and demands the dog’s owner, Erick Chinchilla Lopez, 20, is held accountable
Sadie, pictured with her father Mikey Davila, was playing outside a relative’s house when the pit bull attacked her. Police found Lopez failed to restrain the dog in any way
Anselmo confirmed Sadie’s death after the child was rushed to the hospital
Police investigating the scene along Kendalwood Road on Friday night
The attack occurred at around 6:30pm along Kendalwood Road, near Hoo Shoo Too Road.
According to the arrest report, Lopez’s home didn’t even have a fence or other barrier to keep the dog from roaming the streets.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office said Sadie’s relative tried to rescue her from the dog, but was not able to stop the vicious attack.
Animal Control was notified about the attack and has the dog in custody.
Her father, Mikey Davila, said he was at a loss of words over the tragedy that befell his family.
In an Instagram post sharing the news, Davila wrote: ‘RIP my sweet Sadie Elizabeth, 7-years-old & taken from us in the most violent way. The world is a cruel place. You were the light in my heart.
EBR Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux joined the community in mourning for the first-grader’s death.
‘This is an awful, heartbreaking tragedy,’ he told WAFB. ‘My heart goes out to this family, and they will remain in my prayers.’
Staff at the EBR Parish School District described Sadie, who attended the Woodlawn Elementary School, as a girl who brought joy to her class.
In a heartbreaking post on social media, Mikey mourned his daughter’s death while posting pics of her playing at a local park
Police said a relative tried to save Sadie, but was unable to stop the attacking dog. Pictured: Sadie with her father
Sadie was described by teachers as a kind-hearted girl who loved to sing to classmates
Her teacher, Grace Feucht, said in a statement: ‘Sadie was fierce and spunky, but she was also tender-hearted and kind.
‘She was fearless and would sing her heart out in front of her classmates. She was a gift to me and made me smile and laugh many times.
‘I sadly expect our classroom to feel considerably emptier Monday without her precious presence. I am so grateful to have had the honor of teaching her.’
District Superintendent Sito Narcisse added: ‘This news is devastating to our entire school community, as young Sadie was blossoming in the dawn of her life and education with so much promise awaiting her.
‘It is difficult to comprehend the enormous pain and remorse her family and friends are experiencing in the wake of this tragedy.’
Pictured: Police searching for the pit bull that killed Sadie
Lopez was arrested and charged with negligent homicide for failing to confine or restrain the dog that attacked the seven-year-old girl
‘This is an awful, heartbreaking tragedy,’ Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said
The dog that attacked Sadie is now in custody of Animal Control
