SYDNEY - A two-year-old boy has died after being attacked by a dog at his grandmother's home in the town of Deniliquin in southern New South Wales (NSW), Australia, police said on Monday.

The toddler was attacked by the dog, described as a mastiff cross, at 2:30 pm local time on Sunday while visiting relatives.

The boy's 70-year-old grandmother tried to intervene but was unable to release the child. The child's mother arrived and fought the dog off.

The boy and his grandmother were taken to Deniliquin Hospital by NSW Ambulance Paramedics but he died a short time later.

His grandmother has been treated for exhaustion, cuts and bruises.

The dog was destroyed on Sunday night.