Pit bull-Rottweiler mauls newborn girl in Saanich home

A Saanich, B.C., family dog has been euthanized after mauling a 16-day-old baby girl, police said Sunday.

Police said the attack involving a 17-year-old pit bull-Rottweiler cross happened around 1a.m. PT. in the family home.

The babyis in hospitalin stable condition.

The familyagreed to have the dog put down, saidSaanich policeConst.NawidAkbar.

The investigation is ongoing, but charges of criminal negligence are being contemplated by police, according to Akbar.

He said it's important to remember animals can be unpredictable.

"When you have small children, especially children who can't care for themselves, and when they're as young as a 16-day-old baby, it's a reminder that when you havepets in the homeit's very important to be aware of your pets as well as your children," he said.

"At the end of the day, pets are animals and you don't know what they're going to do."

The infant's injuries appear to be superficial and not likely to causelong-term damage, but it's still too early to be certain, Akbar said.