Melaka Criminal Investigation Department chief Mohd Nor Yhazid Idris said prior to the 9am incident, the baby had been placed by her 39-year-old aunt in a cradle near the front grille of the house to get some sunlight as the infant had developed jaundice.

He said when the aunt returned to tend to the baby, she saw the baby’s right hand had been bitten by one of the family’s pet dogs through the grille.

Yhazid said the baby was rushed to the Mahkota Hospital for treatment, but the family was asked to take her to the Melaka Hospital.

“The baby was later referred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for specialist treatment,” he said.

According to Yhazid, initial investigations found that the Plott hound had been let loose in the house’s compound.

The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001/289 of the Penal Code.