Long Island nine-year-old girl dies after being attacked by a pit bull

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Police say the child was visiting the home on Holland Avenue in Elmont, Long Island, around 10.30am Sunday
The girl was in the yard when the dog, a pit bull, attacked - the circumstances of the attack were unclear
A police officer shot and killed the pit bull, which reportedly weighed 70 - 80 pounds
The dog's owner, Carlyle Arnold, 29, was arrested at the scene for an unrelated charge

By Zoe Szathmary For Dailymail.com and Associated Press

Published: 20:45 EST, 8 November 2015 | Updated: 01:06 EST, 9 November 2015

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A nine-year-old girl has died of her injuries after being attacked by a pit bull in a Long Island backyard, authorities in Nassau County, New York, said.

The dog was shot and killed by a police officer.

Police say the child was visiting the home on Holland Avenue in Elmont around 10.30am Sunday.

WABC reported the girl was at the home for a playdate with two girls.

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Attack: A nine-year-old girl has died of her injuries after being attacked by a pit bull in a Long Island backyard, authorities in Nassau County, New York, said

Incident: The dog reportedly weighed 70-80 pounds. Police are pictured above at the scene

The girl was in the yard when the dog, a pit bull, attacked. The circumstances of the attack were unclear.

According to WABC, the dog was 70 - 80 pounds. The television station, citing witnesses, said it 'shook her like a rag doll'.

The ABC affiliate's report said two responding officers went to the back.

Police say another officer who opened a door to the backyard shot the dog when the animal charged in the officer's direction.

Detective Michael Bitsko told WABC: 'She opened the door.

The girl was in the yard when the dog, a pit bull, attacked. The circumstances of the attack were unclear

Police say the dog's owner, 29-year-old Carlyle Arnold, of Elmont, was arrested at the scene for an unrelated charge of violation of an order of protection

'The dog took her attention off the nine-year-old girl, and charged the officer.

'The officer discharged her weapon, killing the dog.

'The other two officers who were there trying to get in through the fence in the rear yard, able to rip open the fence and get to the girl.'

The unidentified girl was hospitalized in critical condition and later died.

Police say the dog's owner, 29-year-old Carlyle Arnold, of Elmont, was arrested at the scene for an unrelated charge of violation of an order of protection.