PERKINS, OK -- An 8-month-old infant, Justin Lopez, has died from blunt-force trauma to head. He was attacked by a rottweiler at a rural residence, south of Perkins Monday. The incident happened in Lincoln county, on Iowa Tribal land. At the scene, the Iowa Tribe Police Chief confirmed the fatal attack.
The Iowa Tribal Administrator, Stephanie Ramsey, replied to our request for information by writing "We have no comment at this time."
However, a cousin of the victim wanted to speak to us over the phone.
"These dogs are dangerous and people don't need to put that much trust into them," says Stephen Wood, whose mother called him Monday morning with the tragic news.
Wood says the infant was a little girl, less than a year old.
Wood says the dog that killed her was a rottweiler the family had brought home on Sunday.
Wood did not have details surrounding the attack, but says many dogs roam freely around the property.
"I don't know if (the dog) jumped up, took (the girl) out of her arms, or if (the baby) was laying in the bed, and (the dog) came in there and bit her in the bed," he says, "but they're the kind of people that will let the dogs in the house. I think it was irresponsible to have one around an infant."
Wood says the family got the dog to protect their property.
Iowa Tribal police say they won't release details of the attack because it's under investigation.
The Iowa Tribal Administrator, Stephanie Ramsey, replied to our request for information by writing "We have no comment at this time."
However, a cousin of the victim wanted to speak to us over the phone.
"These dogs are dangerous and people don't need to put that much trust into them," says Stephen Wood, whose mother called him Monday morning with the tragic news.
Wood says the infant was a little girl, less than a year old.
Wood says the dog that killed her was a rottweiler the family had brought home on Sunday.
Wood did not have details surrounding the attack, but says many dogs roam freely around the property.
"I don't know if (the dog) jumped up, took (the girl) out of her arms, or if (the baby) was laying in the bed, and (the dog) came in there and bit her in the bed," he says, "but they're the kind of people that will let the dogs in the house. I think it was irresponsible to have one around an infant."
Wood says the family got the dog to protect their property.
Iowa Tribal police say they won't release details of the attack because it's under investigation.
