Newborn baby killed by family's dogs in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. -- Officials say a newborn baby in central Fresno, that was just 3 days old, was mauled to death by the family's dogs.

According to Fresno police, the baby's mother opened a door to her home on Glenn Avenue near Garland Avenue just after midnight. They say she left the baby on the couch and walked away for a few seconds, thinking the dogs were tied up in the backyard.

Officers say the mom rushed back when she heard the baby's cries.

"For any child to get injured, it hurts," said Daniel Macias with the Fresno Police Department. "But a newborn, we know how precious life is and it's very unfortunate this happened."

Macias says the two male dogs, which are believed to be a mix of shar-pei and pit bull are owned by the 33-year-old woman's brother. He surrendered the dogs to the Central California Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. SPCA spokesman Walter Salvari says the dogs will be euthanized.

At this point, charges have not been ruled out. But officers believe this was an accident.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.