Family launches fundraiser, releases photo of 2-year-old killed in Maryland by pit bull mix

Despite immediate efforts to save the boy, he died after being flown to the hospital. Investigations have been launched by the police and Frederick County animal control, and the dog is now in quarantine custody, local news reports.

The family has released a photo of the boy but requested that his name not be published. They are devastated by the incident and have started a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses.

The attack came as a complete shock to the family, as Cash had lived with them for five years with no previous aggressive behavior issues. Grandmother Kim Russell said that she was in shock after the incident, and said that the dog was peaceful around her grandchildren.

"I have two older grandchildren. He's practically grown up with them and he never bothered them – never," Russell said about her dog.

"They have a history together. They’d played all day. We don’t know why it happened," Grunwell said.

Pit bulls are often involved in biting incidents with children, according to studies and statistics. A 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. Another report published by Time Magazine showed that while pit bulls make up only 6 percent of the dog population, they are responsible for 68 percent of dog attacks and 52 percent of dog-related deaths since 1982.

Authorities could decide to euthanize Cash after completing an investigation and notifying the boy's grandmother, who has the right to appeal. The family is mourning the loss of their loved one and grappling with the shock of the attack, which came without warning from a dog they had raised for five years without incident.