Zoey Hawkins loved to sing and dance, especially in her Cinderella dress, and she loved playing with the family dog.
Since 4-year-old Zoey was adopted two years ago, she and the pit bull have been constantly together.
But last week, the dog turned on her as she was exiting a kiddie pool in the scorching heat outside her Visalia home, her cousin Pearl Vargas said.
Officers responded shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday to the home on West Monte Vista Avenue, authorities wrote in a statement on Facebook.
The Visalia Police Department said paramedics took the girl to a hospital, where she died.
The investigation found no evidence of neglect or foul play, and the dog had no history of violence or aggression, said Elizabeth Jones, the department's public information officer. At the family's request, the dog was taken to animal control and euthanized, Jones said.
“She and the dog were inseparable,” Vargas said. “They would play with each other, they would be together, and the dog was always super playful. We literally have no idea why the dog would do this or turn on her like that.”
Vargas said Zoey's parents rushed their daughter inside the house to try to stop the bleeding after the attack. They had planned to take her to the hospital, Vargas said, when they realized her injuries were too severe and called 911.
“This heartbreaking event is a tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this incredibly difficult time,” authorities wrote in their statement.
The family, who have two other children, have started a GoFundMe campaign to cover Zoey's funeral expenses.
Zoey was a “very outgoing, funny, smart and loving little girl,” Vargas said. “She was always jumping off the walls and being herself, a crazy little girl.”
