7-Year-Old Louisiana Girl Dies After Being Mauled By Neighbor’s Dog – Owner Taken Into Custody

The owner of a pit bull that attacked a 7-year-old girl has been charged with criminally negligent homicide after the girl died as a result of her Friday attack.

Erick Lopez, 20, was charged Saturday, according to CBS.

Sadie Davila had been playing outside the home of a relative at the time of the attack, according to WAFB.

A family member of the girl tried to stop the attack by hitting the animal with a cane, but to no avail, according to The Advocate.

“This is an awful, heartbreaking tragedy. My heart goes out to this family, and they will remain in my prayers,” East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said, according to WAFB.

Court documents said Lopez lived near where the attack took place and told police that he frequently allowed the dog to roam the neighborhood unrestrained.

The documents said there was no fence or other barrier to confine the animal, according to WAFB.

WAFB noted that in a statement from the East Baton Rouge School District, teacher Grace Feucht was quoted as