Dog attacks newborn on the head: 28-day-old infant critically injured after being bitten by a Swiss Shepherd
A newborn baby was seriously injured after being bitten by a dog in Eppeville, in France’s Somme department, during the evening of May 23 to May 24. According to reports, the infant, who was less than one month old and 28 days old, suffered a severe injury to the head and was rushed to the hospital. Emergency services were alerted around 10:30 p.m. and firefighters arrived at the family home shortly afterward.
The dog involved is described as a Swiss Shepherd that reportedly belongs to the baby’s grandmother and was present in the household at the time of the attack. When rescuers reached the scene, they found the infant with a serious head wound. Because of the severity of the injuries, the decision was made to evacuate the baby by helicopter to Amiens Hospital for urgent treatment.
Gendarmerie officers also responded to the incident and opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the bite. Authorities are seeking to clarify how the attack happened and what led to the dog biting the newborn inside the family residence.
The animal has been placed under veterinary supervision. Officials have scheduled three follow-up examinations: 24 hours after the incident, seven days after, and 15 days after. These assessments will help determine the dog’s future and whether it poses an ongoing risk.
Reports note that euthanasia is not automatic in such cases. A veterinarian must evaluate the dog’s behavior and the context of the bite before deciding whether it represents a serious and difficult-to-control danger. If the expert concludes that the animal is highly dangerous, euthanasia may be ordered. For now, the case remains under investigation as the baby receives medical care and the dog continues to be monitored.
