By Rachel Quigley

Published: 16:59 EST, 18 June 2013 | Updated: 16:59 EST, 18 June 2013

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A six-year-old boy died after being mauled to death by a pit bull, it emerged today.

Nephi Selu, from Santa Cruz, California, was playing in the backyard of his grandparents' home yesterday when the dog bit him on the top of his head, police said.

Family members say Nephi may have been trying to climb onto the dog's back. Several family members live in the same home.

Victim: A six-year-old boy has died after being attacked by a family pet dog in his grandparents Union City backyard yesterday

Victim: A six-year-old boy has died after being attacked by a family pet dog in his grandparents Union City backyard yesterday

Witness: Family members say Nephi may have been trying to climb on to the dog's back when he was bitten on the head

Witness: Family members say Nephi may have been trying to climb on to the dog's back when he was bitten on the head

Paramedics treated the boys head wound at the scene before taking him to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto.

He was later pronounced dead in hospital.

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The dog was taken to the Tri-City Animal Shelter and will be held for a standard ten-day quarantine, The Santa Cruz Sentinel reports.

A sign saying 'Beware of the Dog' is posted outside the house. Neighbors said when they saw the pets they were always on a leash and did not appear to be vicious or dangerous.

'It's such a shame,' said Arthur Kouns, 41. 'The dogs always appeared very friendly. It's a friendly family. Good people.'

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