Pit bull that chewed off baby's toes is euthanized

[September 03, 2009]  JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- A pit bull that chewed the toes off of a 4-month old baby in North Carolina has been euthanized, while the child's mother and her boyfriend remain in custody, charged with felony child abuse.

The 1-year-old dog was put down and tested negative for rabies. A spokeswoman for Onslow County Animal Control said that to test for rabies, animals must first be euthanized.

Messages left for the attorneys of the mother, Robie Lynn Jenkins, and her boyfriend, Tremayne Spillman, were not returned Wednesday.

The baby is in stable condition at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. The dog chewed the toes off his left foot Sunday night.

Jenkins told police she was on medication and didn't hear the baby crying even though she was sleeping in the same room.

[Associated Press]

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