Girl, 1, tragically killed by family dog after ‘getting too close to its food bowl’

A toddler was tragically killed by a dog after getting too close to its food bowl.

A’myrikal Hull was reportedly bitten on the head by the family pooch in Illinois, US.

The one-year-old girl was described as being best friends with the female pocket bully, a pitbull and Patterdale terrier mix.

She was taken to hospital after being injured on Thursday (March 18), where she was pronounced dead.

Her family she had got too near to the mutt’s food bowl at her home in the city of Springfield, local media reported.

Cory Painter, the grandmother of the girl’s brother, said the dog had “never snapped before”.

She told local station WICS: “The fact that she didn’t make it crushed my soul.

“A’myrikal was a very happy baby. She just had these big beautiful eyes and a smile that would light up the room.

“The dog was like her best friend.”

She said the tot had just turned one last week.

The little girl’s two uncles had to pry the dog off of her, the station reported.

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Ms Painter said the family had been left heartbroken over the tragedy.

She said: “They’re all taking it really hard.”

The dog is now with Sangamon County Animal Control and is said to be under observation for rabies.

Springfield Police is now investigating the incident, but no criminal charges have been filed.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover funeral costs for the youngster’s family.

The fundraiser, set up by Ms Painter, describes her as a “precious” child “full of life, who was “all smiles”.

It said the dog had been the family’s pet for four years.

A candlelit vigil is also being planned for the girl.