Sherman Oaks family grieves in aftermath of mauling death of infant

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - A Sherman Oaks family was grieving Monday after at least one of their three dogs mauled their 3-month-old baby to death when her grandmother left the room to get a bottle.

The mauling was reported at 3:25 p.m. Saturday in the 14400 block of Benefit Street, said Officer Stacy Ball of the Los Angeles Police Department's Van Nuys Station. Gaia Nova died at a hospital, the coroner's office reported.

There were three dogs in the home at the time and animal control officers took all three into custody because it was unknown whether one or all three attacked the infant, Ball said. They reportedly were a Rottweiler, a Labrador Retriever and a terrier.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends,'' tweeted police Capt. Lillian L. Carranza of the Van Nuys station. "The Mayor's Crisis Response Team will be by the family's side during this difficult time.''

Carranza told news outlets the family is extremely distraught.