A dog that killed its owners’ newborn son at their Mira Mesa home last week was put to death Wednesday at the behest of the grieving family.
The parents of 3-day-old Sebastian Caban were watching television in bed with him Thursday evening when the mother coughed, apparently startling their American Staffordshire Terrier mix, according to San Diego police.
The animal lunged and bit the child on the head. After making several 911 calls that did not immediately go through, the couple rushed their son to UCSD Thornton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The county Department of Animal Services took custody of the 2-year-old canine, a neutered male named Polo. He was placed under a 10-day rabies quarantine, as is standard when dogs turn on people.
The canine was euthanized early Wednesday afternoon at the request of Sebastian’s parents, DAS spokesman Dan DeSousa said.
San Diego Humane Society President and CEO Gary Weitzman sent a letter to volunteers Tuesday informing them of the incident.
Prior to the fatal attack, the animal had no reported history of aggression, DeSousa said.
