A three-year-old boy was mauled to death by a neighbour's dogs the first time he played in the garden at his new home, it has been confirmed.
Little Aziz Ahmed died from his injuries after the two pit bulls broke free from their enclosure on Tuesday in New Jersey in the US.
His mum was badly injured as she tried to shield him, friends said in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Aziz's older brothers were able to escape by running back into their home.
The family had only recently moved to the home, and had been forced to quarantine days before Aziz's death.
A GoFundMe appeal says: “The young mother fought with all she had to save her little boy.
“Despite her efforts to save her son, his injuries were too severe even with the help of first responders. Little Aziz could not be saved.”
His dad Tanveer works for Coney Island Auto Parts, which set up the fundraiser for the family.
Tanveer was at work when the horrifying incident happened on Tuesday.
The businessman wrote: “I never had the honour of meeting little Aziz but I do know his father Tanveer who is a hardworking man and just recently moved his family from Brooklyn NY to New Jersey for a better life.
“Tanveer is loved by his co-workers and truly an asset to the company.
"We [are] calling upon the kindness of family, friends and strangers to help the Ahmed family in this difficult time.”
The dogs were euthanised by police in the aftermath of Aziz's death, the New York Post reports.
Cartaret Mayor Daniel Reiman voiced his shock following the incident.
He said: "As a small community, our Carteret family mourns the heart-wrenching loss of our young neighbour and we pray for this young mother and family in this time of unimaginable grief."
