A two-year-old boy with a British mother has died after being savagely attacked by a pitbull terrier on the Greek island of Zakynthos. The toddler's parents have been arrested and charged with manslaughter by local authorities.
A Tragic Sequence of Events
The incident occurred after the family returned home from a shopping trip. According to reports, the young child managed to slip away from his parents' watch and entered a room where the dog was kept. The animal, which was reportedly chained, launched a ferocious assault on the boy, inflicting fatal bites to his face and head.
Emergency services rushed the child to the General Hospital of Zakynthos. Despite receiving immediate first aid and the best efforts of medical staff, the injuries proved too severe, and he was pronounced dead. The family had celebrated the boy's second birthday just ten days before the attack.
Parents Face Manslaughter Charges
Greek police moved quickly to detain the child's parents following the tragedy. They have now been formally charged with manslaughter. Investigations revealed that the dog was a stray the family had taken in approximately two months prior, after finding it near their property.
The family had intended to care for the pitbull until a permanent owner could be found. This devastating outcome has thrown a harsh spotlight on the risks associated with housing powerful breeds, especially around young children.
Global Context of Pitbull Attacks
This attack in Greece follows closely on the heels of another horrific incident in the United States. In Tennessee, a grandfather and his three-month-old granddaughter were killed in a mauling by seven pitbulls. Police were forced to shoot the dogs to stop the attack on the infant.
These events reignite the debate over breed-specific legislation. In the UK, Pit Bull Terriers are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. It is illegal to breed, sell, abandon, or own them. The breed, originally developed in England for dog fighting, is also prohibited in countries like Denmark, Norway, and Cyprus, while nations such as France, Spain, and Germany enforce strict restrictions.
Data from the United States underscores a concerning trend, with pitbulls involved in roughly 67% of all dog bite-related insurance claims in 2022. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been approached for comment regarding the case of the British child in Greece.
