The Fourth of July is a day of celebration.  A tragic dog bite accident on the Oregon Coast, in Nehalem, Oregon, left a dark cloud over the town on Sunday.

Americans celebrate the Fourth of July with barbecues and fireworks.  Those of us who have owned dogs know that they do not like fireworks and they can behave very erratically on that day. 

This accident does not appear to have been the result of fireworks at all.  Rather it appears to have been an accident during a family gathering that could have happened on any holiday. 

The victim (whose name will be withheld for privacy reasons) was an eleven month old boy.  The boy was at a holiday gathering at his grandparents' house on Sunday.  According to Oregonlive.com, the boy squirmed out of his grandmother's lap, wanting to get down, and the dog -- a five year old bulldog -- lunged at the baby. 

The family members, grandparents and an uncle, tried to pull the dog off the boy but they suffered dog bite injuries as well.  The child was rushed to Tillamook County General Hospital.  He passed away there from injuries related to the dog attack.

Although dog bite injuries are a common occurence, Todd Anderson, the Tillamook County Sheriff, said he'd never seen another case like it in his 25 years at the sheriff's office.

Truly a horrific accident on what was supposed to be a celebratory holiday.  Thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Sarah Nelson, P.C., handles injury claims throughout Oregon, including the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon and Oregon Wine Country, from her home office in Portland, Oregon.