Dog that killed infant is euthanized

NEW PORT RICHEY - The dog that attacked and killed a 7-day-old infant in Pasco County was euthanized Thursday afternoon.

Investigators are awaiting test results to determine if the pit bull mix had rabies. They are also awaiting the results of toxicology tests on the baby's 16-year-old mother. Nicole Koezeno says she was sleeping and didn't realize the baby had been attacked until she was awakened by a visiting neighbor.

Investigators say the baby, Thomas James Carter Jr., suffered more than 50 puncture wounds.

In Tallahassee, the attack fueled new debate on legislation that some say could eventually lead to a ban on pit bulls.

Barbara Snow of The Humane Society Of Pinellas says dog owners need to be educated and responsible, but no breed should be singled out.

"There are pit bull that have bitten. There are pit bulls that have killed." says Snow. "There are also over two dozen other breeds that have fatally attacked people. "