Alabama 3-Month-Old Mauled to Death by Family's 'Exotic' Wolf-Hybrid 'Family Pet,' Official Says

A 3-month-old boy in Alabama was fatally mauled by a wolf-hybrid his family reportedly kept as a pet, according to authorities.

Authorities recently responded to a 911 call about an infant being attacked by an animal at a residence in Chelsea, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon arriving at the home, officers found the infant had been mauled by the family’s pet wolf-dog hybrid, authorities said.

The baby was rushed to a local hospital and then airlifted to a children's hospital for emergency treatment. The infant was later pronounced dead from injuries suffered in the attack.

“One of our children here in Chelsea was killed by an exotic family pet and succumbed to their injuries…," Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer said. "We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate and tragic event.”

According to the Shelby County Reporter, Alabama is one of only four states in the United States that have no restrictions on the private ownership of exotic animals, including big cats, primates and exotic reptiles.

“It’s perfectly legal to own animals like this one,” Picklesimer said. “But how do you let an animal like that near a 3-month-old child? It just doesn’t make any sense.”

There were other children present in the home at the time of the deadly incident, but none were harmed, according to the Shelby County Reporter.

Authorities said the owners of the wolf-hybrid claimed not to know their pet’s lineage.

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The incident remains under investigation, and authorities said they are determining if other instances of child endangerment occurred.

The wolf-hybrid was euthanized by a veterinarian at the scene, officials said.