A man has been arrested after a three-month-old baby girl was mauled to death by a ‘bully type’ dog.
The infant was attacked by the animal at a property on Hardale Drive in Redcar, North Yorkshire, at around 1.30pm yesterday.
A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death. He was released on conditional bail following questioning.
Locals said the baby was being ‘looked after by a friend’ and was just visiting the street when she was attacked.
Two dogs were involved in the incident, although it remains unclear which one was responsible for the death of the little girl.
A bully type dog was detained by Cleveland Police and later destroyed, while a grey and white animal of a similar or same breed was shot dead by officers at the scene.
Both dogs were assessed by a specialist officer, and they have been deemed not to be an illegal breed.
Residents have described the dogs as ‘pocket bullys’- a small breed from the same family of dogs as American Bullys and XL Bullys.
A 31-year-old woman also sustained injuries to her arm as a result of a dog bite and received hospital treatment.
Chief Superintendent Rachel Stockdale, Head of Local Policing at Cleveland Police, said: ‘Our thoughts continue to be with the child’s family following this tragic and distressing incident.
‘I want to take this opportunity to request that their privacy is respected during this difficult time.
‘There will continue to be a scene in place at the property alongside a visible policing presence as the investigation is ongoing.
‘I encourage anyone who has concerns to please speak to an officer.
‘We are also appealing to anyone with information, mobile or doorbell and dash cam footage to get in touch.’
Meanwhile, floral tributes have been left outside the home this afternoon while forensic officers have also been spotted close to the scene.
As the terrifying attack unfolded, one resident told Teeside Live that police shouted at residents to ‘get in any cars or houses’ while the animals were running loose.
Scarlett Calvert said: ‘I was on the path behind the police tape when one of the dogs escaped. Police said to everyone just just get in anyone’s cars, houses or gardens,’ she said.
‘Two police officers came up to me and I got put in someone’s garden. The next thing I heard was a gunshot. They had already captured one of the dogs and put it in the van but then the other dog got out through a gap in the fence.’
One woman, who witnessed the moment the dog was shot, said: ‘Earlier in the day, my friend had told me that a baby girl had been attacked.
‘I had seen a brindle looking bully type dog running around Hardale and it wasn’t until I saw all the ambulances that I thought, something is going on.
‘Two hours later I came home to find the road was cordoned off and witnessed the grey and white dog get shot.’
The neighbour added: ‘They had to do what they had to do, the dog was loose.
‘It was awful, it was distressing, but you just want to know what’s going on.’
Another local who lives on the street where the tragedy happened said: ‘One of the dogs tried to attack a neighbour but she jumped in her car.
‘She heard someone screaming, and she tried to help, but the dog went for her, so she had to jump back in the car.
‘It’s awful, absolutely awful. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I would never leave a baby alone with a dog.
‘It was a baby girl. She didn’t live in the house. She was being looked after by a friend.
‘It’s absolutely tragic.’
