In Knoxville, Tennessee, a six-week-old baby named Ezra Mansoor was fatally mauled by the family’s female dog while napping in his crib, leaving the community in shock and raising awareness about the potential dangers of pets around young children.
The incident occurred on May 24, 2024, when the family’s husky, a pet they had owned for eight years without any previous signs of aggression, attacked baby Ezra. The infant was rushed to a children’s hospital in Knoxville in critical condition but died from his injuries on May 30. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the baby’s death and stated that the case remains under investigation.
Chloe and Mark Mansoor, the grieving parents, expressed their shock and sorrow over the unprovoked attack. “Ezra meant everything to us. There are no words other than just absolutely everything,” Chloe Mansoor told WBIR-TV. She highlighted that the dog had never exhibited aggressive behavior and was gentle around other children. “You never expect something like this to happen to you, but it can occur with any dog breed, regardless of how long you’ve had the pet.”
The parents also highlighted the importance of vigilance for other pet owners, urging them to be cautious even with pets with no history of aggression. “You can never be too careful, no matter how big or small the dog or how long you’ve had them, or how good they’ve previously been with kids,” Chloe Mansoor added.
In a touching gesture amid their grief, the Mansoors decided to donate Ezra’s organs, hoping to save other children’s lives. “Baby Ezra died today surrounded by his family and is now in the care of Jesus.” Although Mark and Chloe are beyond devastated, they have found comfort in knowing that other children will receive the gift of life with his organ donation,” wrote Lesley Richard, the organizer of a fundraiser for the family, in an update on Facebook.
The family’s husky was taken to a Knoxville animal shelter per standard protocol, where it is being held under a 10-day bite quarantine required by state law. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office has declined to release further details about the investigation, citing confidentiality due to the involvement of a minor.
The incident prompted an outpouring of support for the Mansoors, with over $12,800 raised through the fundraiser to help them with financial burdens. Friends, family, and community members have offered prayers and condolences, reflecting the profound impact Ezra had in his short life. “Please keep the entire family in your prayers; he was deeply loved by everyone. We are all grieving, and this is a pain we will have to cope with for the rest of our lives,” Chloe Mansoor told the local media.
Statistics indicate that while dog bites are common, resulting in over 4 million people being bitten annually in the U.S., fatalities are rare. However, dozens of people, particularly children, are killed by dogs each year. Huskies have been involved in 20 fatal dog attacks since 2005, 18 of which involved children under the age of five.
The Mansoors hope that by sharing their story, they can raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies. “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,” Chloe Mansoor reflected.
