A raging bullmastiff has killed a 13-year-old boy and wounded two others in New Jersey, forcing authorities to "humanely euthanise" the dog.
The 52-kg dog, bit a second 13-year-old boy and attacked its owner, who was forced to stab his pet to subdue it, New Jersey authorities said.
The attack occurred in the city's Hillcrest section on Friday evening when the dog, who was apparently loose, lunged at the two boys.
It bit one of the boys in the hand, then began chasing the teens, who split off in opposite directions.
The second boy was found dead at about 11 p.M., after his family reported him missing, New York Daily News reported.
His remains were found behind the Sherwood Ave. Home where neighbours said the dog lived, according to The Record.
Sometime before the dead teen was found, the dog attacked its owner, biting his hand, officials said.
The owner had to stab the dog repeatedly in order to stop the animal, according to Paterson Animal Control Officer John DeCando.
A necropsy was scheduled to see if the bullmastiff had contracted rabies before the attacks. The dog was "humanely euthanised," authorities said.
Why the dog attacked three people remained a mystery, DeCando said.
"Who knows what happened?" DeCando said. "A child is dead. And I can't comprehend that."
"The dog should have never been on the street," he said. "In 37 years, this is the worst that I've seen."
The exact cause of the teen's death was not known Saturday afternoon, Captain Heriberto Rodriguez of the Paterson Police Department said. An autopsy has been scheduled.
The dog's owner as well as the second injured boy was treated and released, according to Rodriguez.
Rodriguez would not release the names of the victims or the dog's owner.
The bullmastiff, while powerfully built, normally has an innate willingness to please, making them "ideal family companions and protectors," according to the American Kennel Club.
