Dog Owned By San Mateo Police Officer Fatally Attacks Boy

A 6-year-old Dixon boy visiting family in Union City died Monday after he was mauled by the family's pit bull, Union City police said.

KTVU reported late Tuesday afternoon the pit bull was owned by a San Mateo police officer. San Mateo Police Sgt. Dave Norris referred Patch's questions regarding the case to the Union City Police Department.

The boy, identified as Nephi Selu, had been playing with the dog in the backyard of a home on Elizabeth Way around 11:30 a.m. when the dog attacked him, biting him on the top of his head, police said.

Nephi was taken to Stanford Hospital and was pronounced dead around 4 p.m., police said.

The dog was taken to the Tri-City Animal Shelter in Fremont and will be held for a 10-day quarantine, police said.

The dog owner was distraught but is cooperating with the investigation, police said. The owner told police that the dog has never bitten anyone before.

Police said the boy was playing with the dog and may have tried to climb onto the animal's back. The dog had been given anti-rabies shots and was properly licensed, according to police.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Union City police at (510) 471-1365.