A tragic dog attack in Alabama has left a 7-year-old boy dead and his grandmother hospitalized after she tried desperately to save him.
The Chilton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that young Noah Burnett was fatally mauled by multiple dogs on the evening of Tuesday, July 22, near County Road 147 outside Calera. Deputies arrived on the scene shortly after 6:10 p.m. and found Burnett suffering from severe injuries. Despite emergency medical treatment, he later died from his wounds.
His grandmother was also bitten several times as she attempted to fight off the animals. She was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover.
“Our hearts are broken for the child and the family affected by this unimaginable loss,” Sheriff John Shearon said in a statement. “We are committed to a thorough investigation to determine exactly how this happened—and how to prevent it from ever happening again.”
The Dogs Were Not Stray
Initially, authorities weren’t sure whether the animals were strays or owned. But later in the investigation, the sheriff’s office confirmed that nine dogs were involved in the fatal attack and all belonged to a local resident.
“These animals were not stray dogs,” the department said. “They were kept on private property prior to the incident.”
The owner voluntarily surrendered all nine dogs to Chilton County Animal Control. The animals—ranging in age from 6 months to 3 years—were a mix of breeds, including shepherd mixes, pit bull-terrier mixes, lab mixes, a hound mix, and a pit bull-terrier-akita mix.
All of the dogs were humanely euthanized in accordance with safety protocols and will be tested as part of the ongoing investigation.
Remembering Noah
Noah Burnett’s family has not spoken publicly, but shared memories of him through a GoFundMe created to help with funeral costs.
“He had the biggest heart and the most outgoing personality,” the fundraising page reads. “He was the life of the party and was always dirty—he loved being outside and playing in the dirt.”
The investigation into the circumstances of the attack is ongoing, and the sheriff’s office says it is reviewing whether charges may be filed.