2-year-old boy killed in Western MD by pit bull mix after playing with it peacefully all day

The incident occurred in Frederick County, Maryland, when the child and his family, from Fauquier County, Virginia, were visiting relatives in Brunswick. The dog attacked the child inside the home when the family was saying goodbye, NBC Washington reports.

Despite emergency services being called, the child suffered life-threatening injuries and died after being flown to the hospital. Investigations have been launched by the police and Frederick County animal control. The dog is now in quarantine.

Pit bulls are commonly involved in biting incidents with children, according to studies and statistics.

According to Time Magazine "Pit bulls make up only 6% of the dog population, but they're responsible for 68% of dog attacks and 52% of dog-related deaths since 1982."

Time continues: "Another report published in the April 2011 issue of Annals of Surgery found that one person is killed by a pit bull every 14 days, two people are injured by a pit bull every day, and young children are especially at risk. The report concludes that “these breeds should be regulated in the same way in which other dangerous species, such as leopards, are regulated.” That report was shared with TIME by PETA, the world’s largest animal-rights organization."