A two-year-old British boy was fatally attacked by a pitbull in the garden of his family’s home on the Greek island of Zakynthos. The incident occurred after the dog was reportedly startled by nearby hunters firing guns, according to the child’s mother.

Robbie Deeth, 32, said the attack took place within seconds while the family was returning from a shopping trip. The pitbull had been tethered in the garden, which backs onto wooded areas frequented by hunters. Ms. Deeth explained that gunshots, hunting dogs, and whistles may have triggered the dog’s sudden aggressive behavior.

Her husband, Loukas, had rescued the pitbull when it was severely emaciated and nursed it back to health. Ms. Deeth described the dog as previously calm and non-aggressive, noting that their son Leon had enjoyed interacting with the family’s animals, including cats, horses, and dogs. She said the boy was bitten only once during the attack, which she described as brief but fatal.

“If I knew there was any danger, I would never have let Leon play with the pitbull,” Ms. Deeth stated. She also rejected reports that the couple faced manslaughter charges, saying police had not indicated any criminal proceedings against them. The dog has since been taken into custody by local authorities.

The family had relocated from Andover, Hampshire, to Zakynthos, where they lived in a home bordering hunting areas. The investigation into the fatal attack remains ongoing.