4-year-old playing in backyard was mauled to death by dog; family says the boy was 'full of life'

A 4-year-old boy was mauled to death by at least one dog when he was playing in the backyard of his grandmother's house in Detroit, Michigan.

The vicious dog attack happened in the city's west side just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, according to police.

Detroit Police Department Cpl. Dan Donakowski said, "The dogs mauled the boy while he was in the backyard. He succumbed to his injuries. We're not sure if it's one or two dogs, but Animal Control has two dogs in custody."

The boy was pronounced dead at the site of the dog attack.

An adult was at home when the boy was killed in the deadly dog attack, according to police.

"The event was so horrific that people across the street could hear," attorney Peter O’Toole said. "They're the ones who contacted authorities right away."

The family believes the dogs jumped over the fence to maul the boy.

According to WXYZ-TV, "Police say the dog even dragged the child back to the other side through a gap in the fence. Neighbors a block away also heard his grandmother call for help."

Donakowski said it is believed that the dogs that mauled the little boy to death belong to a neighbor who lives behind the house of the grandmother.

The dogs were believed to be pit bulls or pit bull mixes, police said.

WILX reported, "As DPD and Detroit Animal Control investigated the scene, police chaplains held the family’s hand in prayer as they mourned the sudden and tragic death of the young child."

The boy has been identified as 4-year-old Lovell Anderson.

"Just full of life," Lovell’s aunt Monique Grant said of the slain boy. "We just ask for everybody's prayers right now."

Lovell's aunt Maple Blackshear remembered, "Just such a gentleman, so helpful. Just sweet."

Police Cmdr. Arnold Williams told reporters at the scene, "We’re trying to do everything that we can just to help everybody through this. The loss of a child who hasn’t really started their life is just something huge that nobody can really even fathom."

Williams added, "This reminds everybody, if you do have a dog to secure your dog to make sure your dog can’t get out. That’s the most important thing."

At the time of publication, the owner of the dogs has not been identified or charged.

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