A desperate mum stabbed an out-of-control pitbull to try and stop her son from being mauled to death.
The family were looking after the dog for a friend when the attack occurred.
The lad's mum desperately tried to save her four-year-old son by stabbing the dog with a knife.
However, her attempts to protect Benjamin Cobb, from Detroit, US, were unsuccessful and he died from his wounds on Tuesday.
His 14-year-old sister rang the police at around 6.45pm telling them the four-stone dog had jumped on her brother.
Benjamin suffered bites to his neck and body - and his mum was also reportedly injured in the attack.
Police finally brought the dog under control by shooting it with a stungun, The Sun reports.
The pitbull was put down by vets and the family later said they were told it had never shown any signs of being aggressive before.
On a GoFundMe page for Benjamin's funeral, his relatives said they were going through 'a family's worst nightmare'.
They wrote: "No words can ever explain the depth of our love for him. This has taken an unimaginable toll on our family, friends, and all those who knew our sweet boy.
"A kind gesture to help a friend in a time of need, for a dog that was said to have never shown aggressive behaviors has turned into a horrifying loss for our family.
"We have learned that we are far from alone in our struggle, as diligent and loving parents from all walks of life have suffered this catastrophic loss under similar horrifying circumstances."
Benjamin's obituary stated that he loved fire trucks, painting, popsicles and school.
