One-week-old Indiana infant mauled to death by family dog, coroner says

A one-week-old baby died after being mauled by the family dog inside a home in Huntington County, Indiana, the county coroner’s office said.

Jason Anthony Weaver, who was born Aug. 28, died Thursday from blunt-force trauma wounds, the Huntington County Coroner’s Office said in a statement. First responders attempted life-saving measures at the scene and the infant was transported to a hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

The coroner’s office said the infant was attacked by a five-year-old husky–pit bull mix. Officials said the dog had no prior instances of violence and that the death has been ruled an accident. "The Huntington County Coroner's Office extend[s] their deepest sympathies to the Weaver family and friends," the office said.

An obituary for Jason described him as a baby who "loved rock and roll and country music" and said, "He loved the song Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Though his time on this earth was short, he will be loved forever."

The coroner’s statement did not disclose additional details about how the attack occurred or whether authorities were conducting any further inquiries. Local law enforcement and animal control agencies commonly respond to such incidents; the coroner’s office is responsible for determining cause and manner of death.

The fatal mauling in Huntington County echoes other recent deadly dog attacks. In January, an 8-year-old boy in Volusia County, Florida, Michael Millett, was mauled to death by two dogs while riding his bicycle near his home. Authorities said the dogs initially appeared friendly but then attacked. Witnesses attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation as police and animal control pursued the animals; the dogs were later quarantined.

Officials and child-safety advocates often cite such incidents as prompting reviews of pet supervision, housing and local animal-control practices, but the Huntington County Coroner’s Office did not announce any policy changes in its release. The coroner’s ruling that the death was an accident reflects its determination about the immediate cause and manner of death based on the investigation to date.

The Weaver family’s obituary and public statements released by the coroner’s office expressed condolences and described the infant’s brief life. No additional public information about the family’s plans or about the dog’s future status was included in the coroner’s release.