KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A young boy was pronounced dead after the child's family said their dog attacked him while he was in the crib.
Ezra Mansoor was around 6 weeks old, said Chloe Mansoor, his mother. She said the family husky showed no signs of aggression in the past, and other children had stayed over in the past without any issues. She said the attack happened on May 24 and Ezra was pronounced dead on Thursday.
"You just think it would never happen to you. But it can happen to anyone, with any dog breed, no matter how long you've had the dog," said Chloe. "Ezra meant everything. There's really no words, other than just absolutely everything."
Chloe said the dog bit him unprovoked, while Ezra was still in the crib. She said she wanted to raise awareness for parents across East Tennessee, urging them to make sure their children are safe. She also said organs from the 6-week-old boy would be donated.
"I didn't realize until this happened, just how supported we are and just how many people he had that loved him already," said Chloe. "Ezra was just asleep in his crib — not crying or anything. And she just attacked out of nowhere."
The Knox County Sheriff's Office said it could not provide information about an open investigation involving a minor.
"All the sleepless nights and the dirty diapers — looking back, I would take a million sleepless nights and dirty diapers and all the fussiness, you would take it all back in a second and never take any moment or second for granted," said Chloe.
Young-Williams Animal Center also provided a brief statement about the dog, confirming that it was being held. The center's full statement is available below.
"Young-Williams Animal Center is holding an adult dog following an incident in which an infant was reported to have been injured in Knoxville on May 24, 2024. The dog is under a 10-day bite quarantine as required by state law.”
Family members are raising money to help support Chloe and her husband. Anyone who wants to donate money can donate through a GoFundMe fundraiser.