9-year-old girl killed by pitbull
Nassau County authorities say a 9-year-old girl has died after being attacked by a dog in a Long Island backyard. The dog was shot and killed by a police officer.
Police say the child was visiting in the home on Holland Avenue in Elmont around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. She was in the yard when the dog, a pit bull, attacked. The circumstances of the attack were unclear.
Officials say an officer who opened a door to the backyard shot the dog when the animal charged in the officer's direction.
The girl was taken to the hospital where she later died. The owner of the dog has been taken into custody.