In Tullahoma, Tennessee, a tragic dog mauling on Thursday afternoon claimed the lives of 50-year-old James Smith and his 3-month-old granddaughter in the 900 block of East Warren Street in Coffee County. Tullahoma Police officers responded around 3 p.m. to reports of the attack and found pitbulls actively mauling the infant; the officers shot and killed the dogs to stop the assault.

After neutralizing the animals, authorities confirmed both victims were deceased. The 14th Judicial District Attorney described the scene as “especially difficult and brutal” and asked for prayers for the victims’ family and the first responders who witnessed the trauma. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the deaths, including whether the dogs attacked the adult victim postmortem and whether the animals had any prior history of aggression.

Tullahoma Animal Control removed the remaining dogs from the home, and police are asking anyone with information to call 931-455-0530.