A young girl died after she was mauled by her family dogs outside her home on Friday, Aug. 9, in Aripine, Ariz., per the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Aug. 12 press release.
The nine-year-old child — who has not been publicly identified — was attacked after she ran outside the Aripine home “to turn off a water spigot,” according to the press release. Aripine is about 250 miles northeast of Phoenix.
On Friday evening, around 6:30 p.m., the child was at home “with many members of her family” and then went to turn off the water. But the dogs “for unknown reasons” attacked her, and she was left with “severe physical trauma,” per the press release.
Her family members and first responders attempted to provide her with medical help, but she succumbed to her injuries.
Getty
“Our hearts just pour out for this family, not only here in the headquarters at the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, but the guys who work on the street that responded to this,” Deputy Brian Swanty told Fox 10.
“This is not the type of call that anybody ever wants to be involved in,” he added. The sheriff’s office is investigating the “tragic incident” and said that no additional information will be released.
Authorities said that the dogs “routinely interact and are familiar with the family and children.”
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office PIO Tori Gorman told PEOPLE on Wednesday, Aug. 14, that there were four Cane Corso dogs, two adults and two puppies. She says the dogs were seized from the home and will be examined for the investigation, adding that it’s unlikely the dogs will be returned to the family.
She tells PEOPLE the department has “not been given an update as to what will happen with the dogs” in regards to being taken in or euthanized.
Alamy
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
A representative for Navajo County Animal Control did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Wednesday.
