The mother of the 2-year-old Albanian boy who was fatally attacked by a pit bull in Greece has told how her child lost his life within seconds while petting the dog in the garden in front of their house.
Two-year-old Leon Dulia was fatally attacked shortly after returning from shopping with his mother and father. His mother said it all happened "in less than 30 seconds" and blamed the noise of hunters in the woods, whistles and gunshots, which scared the pit bull.
The tragedy occurred on the Greek island of Zakynthos, where the family had lived for several years, after moving from Andover, Hampshire.
"Leon was every mother's dream, the sweetest child you could imagine. Even people who didn't like children adored Leon. He was loving, special and loved everyone, my father, me and the family. He was a beautiful little boy, always smiling, full of joy. He adored our animals, cats, horses, dogs and the pit bull had never been a problem until that tragic day," his mother told the 'Daily Mail'.
Robbie explained that the dog had been rescued by her husband and was kept on a 10-metre chain in the garden, near the woods where the hunt was taking place.
"There was whistling, there were gunshots. I believe that scared the dog," she said.
She said that within the moment they entered the house to arrange the shopping, Leon came out to the dog and everything happened immediately.
"We found him lying on the ground. It looked like he had only been bitten once. The ambulance took Leon and rushed him, but I believe it was too late. The doctors confirmed his death as soon as we arrived," said his mother.
She added that there were no signs of danger from the pit bull.
"If I had known, I would never have let Leon play with the pit bull. He was fed, he drank, and he had never shown aggression. When my husband found him, the dog was very weak, we fed him, and we tamed him," she adds.
Robbie denied reports that she and the man have been charged with manslaughter.
"We have given statements, but the police have not notified us of criminal proceedings. We explained that the dog was tied up and taken care of," said the 2-year-old's mother.
She remembers that everything happened instantly.
"The first thing we heard was our daughter coming in and saying, 'Leon was bitten by a pit bull.' When we came out, Leon wasn't moving. It was just a bite, but you never think it could take your life," she says.
