Police are investigating after a three-month-old boy in Alabama was killed by his family's pet wolf.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office said they were called to a home in Chelsea, Alabama, on Thursday for reports of an animal attack on a child.
Authorities arrived at the property along with animal control officers, with the child transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the child was pronounced dead due to injuries police suspect the animal caused.
The Sheriff's Office described the animal as a “wolf hybrid” and said the family had kept the animal as a pet.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office said they were called to a home in Chelsea, Alabama on Thursday for reports of an animal attack on a child
At the request of the police, the animal was euthanized on site by a veterinarian.
Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans told the New York Post: 'It appears that the wolf or wolf-dog picked up the child lying on the ground and started playing with it, and unfortunately killed the baby.
“The parents tried to take the baby from the wolf, but it was too late.”
Wayne Morris, a spokesman for the city of Chelsea, said WBRC that there were other children in the house.
Officers said it was taken to the Alabama State Diagnostics Laboratory in Auburn for further testing and testing.
Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer said: “It has been confirmed that one of our children here in Chelsea was killed by an exotic family pet and succumbed to his injuries yesterday afternoon after being taken to hospital by Chelsea Fire & Rescue.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate and tragic event and uplift the family and all those affected with our deepest prayers and thoughts.”
Sheriff's officials said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.