Dog Hurricane
A dog is seen chained in a backyard in Houma, Louisiana, as Hurricane Gustav passed through, September 1, 2008. The dog's shelter was heavily damaged during the storm. REUTERS

A 2-week-old baby died on Sunday after it was mauled by the family dog.

The baby's family lives in Northwest Harris County in Texas. Deputies interviewing the family would not release their names, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The baby was in an infant carrier inside of the family home while the mother was outside of the house, Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Thomas Gilliland said. She was watching the baby through the window.

The family dog was in a separate room behind closed French doors, but it pushed the doors open and approached the infant, Gilliland said. The dog sniffed the infant and then mauled it.

The baby was airlifted to Houston's Memorial Hermann Hospital but died early Sunday, the Associated Press reported.

The dog was taken to a kennel, where it will be quarantined for 10 days, the Houston Chronicle reported, and it is up to authorities to decide what to do with the animal.

Certified dog behavior consultant Jennifer Shryock spoke with the Houston Chronicle and said that dogs and newborns should never be left alone together.

When an unfamiliar smelling, wiggling squealing tiny being is left alone they may go to investigate, Shryock said. The baby was unfamiliar and the dog investigates as a dog does.