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KIRYAT BIALIK, ISRAEL – June 21, 2025 — A 10-month-old baby girl was fatally mauled by her family’s pit bull in Kiryat Bialik on Friday, in a tragic incident that has shocked residents and raised renewed concerns about the regulation of dangerous dog breeds in Israel.
According to Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics, the baby suffered severe bites to her upper body and was found unconscious and unresponsive when emergency responders arrived at the scene. Despite prolonged efforts at resuscitation and emergency transport to Rambam Hospital in Haifa, the child died in the intensive care unit.
“We arrived at the scene and saw the baby next to the family members, unconscious, without a pulse, not breathing, and with a serious injury to her upper body,” MDA paramedics Amwaj Bakr and Michael Kazan said in a joint statement.
“We were told that she had been bitten by a dog. We immediately began performing CPR, which included chest compressions, and evacuated her in an MDA intensive care unit to the hospital while CPR was being performed, with her condition critical.”
The incident occurred at the family’s home in Kiryat Bialik, a city near Haifa in northern Israel. The pit bull involved in the attack has since been seized by municipal authorities and placed in quarantine.
The dog, reportedly neutered and registered with the Haifa Municipality, had not received a rabies vaccination in the past three years, according to Channel 12 (N12) News.
Municipal veterinarians confirmed that the dog is now under observation. The Haifa District Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal bite, including whether the dog was properly restrained and if any negligence occurred in supervising the child.
Under Israeli law, pit bulls are classified as a dangerous breed. The Efrat municipality, echoing national legislation, notes that owners of such breeds are required to adhere to strict regulations, including muzzling the dog in public spaces and when the animal is in proximity to minors under the age of 16.
It remains unclear whether these regulations were being followed at the time of the attack.
The tragedy has reignited debate over the safety of keeping aggressive dog breeds in family homes, especially those with young children. Animal welfare advocates and regulatory authorities have long warned about the potential risks posed by certain dog breeds if not properly trained and managed.
The baby’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the local community. Kiryat Bialik Mayor Eli Dukorsky issued a brief statement offering condolences to the family and urging residents to remain vigilant about safety when owning pets classified as dangerous.
“This is a heartbreaking incident that demands we all reflect on the responsibilities that come with pet ownership,” he said.
Authorities are expected to complete a full risk assessment of the dog and determine whether it will be euthanized following the investigation.
Police have not yet filed any charges, but indicated that they are reviewing all elements of the case, including whether legal action against the dog’s owners is warranted.