Toddler dies after dog attack on base

A 3-year-old boy died Wednesday after being attacked by a dog at Camp Lejeune, Onslow Memorial Hospital spokesman Tim Strickland confirmed.

The dog, a pit bull, attacked the child at Tarawa Terrace I, base spokesman 1st Lt. Craig Thomas said. The dog was captured and is being held at the Camp Lejeune kennel, Thomas said.

The boy was taken to Onslow Memorial Hospital after the attack and arrived without a pulse, Strickland said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 5:08 p.m.

No specific animal breeds are forbidden on base, but animals that are deemed vicious are not allowed to stay in base housing, according to base order 10570.1B.

"In cases of serious injury or hospitalization is the result of an attack to any person or personal pet, the animal will be destroyed when it is reasonably apparent that failure to do so would subject the public to danger of further attacks," the order reads.

Further information on the attack and the identity of the victim were unavailable, and Thomas said the matter remains under investigation.