Family dog kills grandmother

6 Sep BTI

A dog attacked a grandmother and killed her Monday afternoon as her 2-year-old grandson watched.The family refers to the dog as a pit bull, but its breed has not been determined by law enforcement officials, according to a news release from the Butler County Sheriff's Office.

Sgt. Melissa Gerhardt, spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said a neighbor called 911 to report the attack in the 4700 block of Eck Road just after 1 p.m."She was out back and saw the victim being attacked in her backyard," she said. "We don't know what prompted the attack." Cindy Whisman, 59, suffered multiple injuries to her face, neck and body, according to the release. She was pronounced dead at the scene, Gerhardt said.

Whisman's husband and a child were home at the time of the incident, but no one else was harmed. CBS affiliate WKRC reports Whisman's 2-year-old grandson was with her in the backyard at the time of the attack.She was a great, sweet loving lady who would do anything for anybody," said Julie Whisman, the dog's owner and Cindy's daughter.Julie says she's in shock, and cannot believe her pet attacked and killed her mother. "Never been vicious toward anybody. Never attacked anybody. It doesn't sound like something my dog would do."

Officials transported the dog to the Animal Friends Humane Society in Hamilton.The family can get the dog back pending a court hearing and an order by a Butler County judge. If they decide not to keep the dog, it will be euthanized after the investigation is completed, officials said.These type of tragedies are happening way too often, family pet or not." said Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones.