Iowa infant dies following fatal dog attack in Des Moines apartment

An infant in Des Moines, Iowa, has died following a dog attack inside a residential apartment on Tuesday. Officers from the Des Moines Police Department and the Des Moines Fire Department arrived at the property in the 3600 block of Kennedy Drive at approximately 6:30am.

The emergency response was initially prompted by a report of a child in cardiac arrest, but authorities soon discovered a more violent scene.

"The caller reported that a dog in the residence had injured the child and the child was not showing signs of life," the police stated. Upon their arrival, first responders determined that the baby was already deceased.

Two dogs present in the home, a shepherd mix and a terrier/bulldog, were immediately impounded. However, officials have not yet confirmed which animal was responsible for the fatalities.

In a separate incident just hours later, a two-year-old child was bitten in the face by a dog at a hotel on NE 14th Street.

While that child suffered serious facial injuries, they are expected to survive. The police noted that the second animal was likely startled while sleeping.

Following these tragedies, the department issued a reminder regarding child safety around pets, noting that "young children are at increased risk" as they may not recognise an animal’s warning signs.

No charges have been filed in either case as investigations remain ongoing. This follows a period of increased scrutiny regarding domestic pet safety protocols across the state.