Crazy story about how the neighbors were blasting at the pitbulls and the emergency medical Had to give her CPR under gunfire sad shythttps://www-m.cnn.com/2019/08/21/us/detroit-dogs-kill-girl-wednesday/
Father of 9-year-old girl mauled to death by pit bulls argued with dogs' owner about fencing last week
By Madeline Holcombe and David Williams, CNN
https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/08/21/us/detroit-dogs-kill-girl-wednesday/
Updated at 6:57 AM ET, Wed August 21, 2019
(CNN) — A week before 9-year-old Emma Hernandez was mauled to death by three pit bulls in Detroit, her father got into an argument with the dogs' owner about them roaming free in the neighborhood, family members told CNN affiliate WDIV.
Emma was riding her bike near her home in Southwest Detroit on Monday when the dogs escaped from the neighbor's yard and attacked her, the station reported.
Edward Cruz, a neighbour, saw the attack and hurled a brick at the dogs to try and save her, but was too late.
He said: “I went outside, I saw three dogs on top of a little girl. I had no hesitation but to run, so I picked up a brick and threw it at the dogs.
“It was painful. I don’t like it one bit. I hate it that it happened to her.”
Another bystander, Deborah Golden, told ClickonDetroit: “The little girl had the side of her neck hanging off and she was not conscious.”
“I tilted her head and had her dad hold the side of her neck and put a T-shirt on the side of her neck.”
Emma’s dad, Armando Hernandez, told WWJ-AM: “I tried my best. I tried CPR. I tried helping her. I did everything I could do in my power. She was gone when I reached her.”
Neighbours began shooting at the dogs as paramedics arrived to try to save the girl.
Detroit Deputy Fire Commissioner Dave Fornell told the Detroit Free Press: “Our first arriving unit jumped in and started CPR…We were performing EMS under gunfire.”
One of the dogs was reportedly shot and the other two were quarantined by Detroit Animal Control.
Edward Cruz chucked bricks at the dogs in an attempt to save the girl’s life
WDIV TV
The dogs’ owner, an unnamed 33-year-old man, was taken into police custody although it is unclear if he has been charged.
Emma was taken to Children’s Hospital of Michigan where she was pronounced dead.
A week earlier, her father, Armando Hernandez, had an argument with the dogs' owner about better fencing for the dogs, Emma's aunt Claudia Stapleton told the news station.
"They didn't do anything," Stapleton said.
A memorial to Emma has been placed her neighborhood.
Witnesses tried to save the girl and police said that someone shot one of the dogs. Emma was rushed to the hospital, but died from her injuries.
"This is her neighborhood. She should be able to be free and do what every kid does -- walk around, ride their bikes -- they shouldn't be afraid to be in their own neighborhood," Stapleton told WDIV. "This is just very devastating. Very, very hurtful for this family."
The girl’s father, Armando Hernandez, said the man was warned that a fence used to hold the dogs was too flimsy. He told radio station WWJ that he is “speechless” and “empty” after the attack.
Hernandez, who tried CPR on his daughter at the scene, said he sees his daughter “every time I close my eyes.”
Police described the dogs as pit bulls or pit-bull mixes. One initially was believed to have been shot by a bystander while a medical crew tried to save the girl in the alley.
The owner of the three dogs was taken into custody, but police did not identify the 33-year-old man or say if he has been charged. Wayne County prosecutors told CNN that they had not yet received a warrant from police.
The three dogs were taken to Detroit Animal Care and Control and are being evaluated.
"Due to the severity of this case, it is very likely that the dogs will be euthanized," the department said in a statement.
'It just can't be real'
Emma's family described her as "a wonderful child who touched the lives of those around her" on a GoFundMe page to raise money for her funeral costs.
9-year-old Emma Hernandez
"Emma dedicated her life to school work, playing and enjoying life with her family. Quick to get a head start on school work. She was such a smart and silly girl. Loved to be outdoors and play with her cousins. A beautiful soul inside and out," they wrote.
"It's hard for me not to cry," Cpt. Russell Solano, of the Detroit Police Department told CNN affiliate WDIV. "It's tough, real tough. We're talking about a 9-year-old girl who was just out there playing, and now she's not here."
"It just can't be real," Stapleton told WDIV. "Things like this are easily avoided. Why can't people take measures to take care of their pets
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