A newborn baby girl has been killed by dogs after they attacked her while she was lying on a sofa.

The three-day-old child had been left unattended by her mother for a few seconds when the pair attacked.

The baby died in hospital shortly after the attack in central California on Monday.

Fresno Police Sergeant Dan Macias said that the girl's mother had left the back door open due to hot weather, and had mistakenly thought that the dogs were tied up in the garden.

Mr Macias added that the two male dogs - which are believed to be a mix of pitbull and shar-pei - are owned by the 33-year-old's brother.

The dogs will be destroyed and investigations continue.