4-year-old killed by pack of dogs: Mother speaks up a month later

Daija McClay said her son Drué Parker stayed with her aunt in Baytown overnight. He was supposed to be home that afternoon before she got the call that would change her life.

“She said, ‘I’m so sorry.’ I said, ‘What happened?’ And she said, “Drué was beaten by the dogs,” McClay said. “After that, she cried on the phone.”

McClay said the dogs belonged to her aunt’s husband. While she said they never gave her reason to believe the dogs were aggressive, there was a sign on her door warning otherwise.

“He just woke up,” McClay said. “He was looking for my little cousin. She wasn’t in the room. He opened the door. She fed the dogs as soon as you opened the door.

At this point the ambush began before moving outside. Surveillance footage from a neighbor captured the horrific attack.

“One jumped on him. Another and another,” McClay said.

The animal protection agency confiscated the dogs in February 2022.

McClay shared videos of her son, who she said was always smiling, friendly, larger than life and loved performing in front of the camera.

“He was talking about his upcoming birthday,” McClay said. “He was ready for his 5th birthday party and kindergarten.”

McClay is still in touch with her aunt and husband. When asked if she blamed them, she said there were a lot of mixed feelings.

McClay hopes her son’s story can make a difference and save other families from similar tragedies.

“Check the area where you let your children go, no matter who it is, always go to make sure it’s safe,” McClay said.

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SEE ORIGINAL REPORT: 4-year-old child dies after dog attack in Baytown