A pit bull killed a 9-year-old girl playing the backyard of a home in a New York City suburb on Sunday, local police said.
Police shot and killed the dog and later arrested its owner on an unrelated charge, according to an Associated Press report. The girl was transported to a local hospital where she died.
The circumstances of the attack remain unclear. Neighbors told the AP that the dog had been gentle and the attack had come as a surprise.
[AP]
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- The Revolution of Yulia Navalnaya
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- What's the Deal With the Bitcoin Halving?
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com