3-Month-Old Girl Die* and Woman Is Injured in Suspected Dog Bite Attack: ‘Tragic and Distressing’
Police said that “armed officers destroyed a dog on the street” and that a second dog on the property was also put down
Authorities are investigating a tragic incident involving a young infant and an adult woman following a reported dog attack. Officials confirmed that the infant did not survive, while the woman sustained injuries and received medical attention.
Cleveland Police in England said in a news release that a 3-month-old girl died following a suspected dog attack in Dormanstown on April 9.
“An investigation into the girl’s death is ongoing and at this stage officers are treating it as a result of a dog bite,” police said in a statement.
Police added that a 31-year-old woman, who also was not identified, suffered an injury to her arm as a result of a dog bite and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“Armed officers destroyed a dog on the street. Another dog located at the property was recovered by police. It has since been destroyed,” police said.
Officials did not share any other details about how the incident happened, what led up to it or the breed of the dogs.
According to authorities, a specialist officer assessed both dogs and deemed them not to be “prohibited” breeds.
Prohibited breeds in the U.K. include the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and the XL Bully, per the government’s website.
A 45-year-old man was arrested on “suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.” He was questioned by police and released on conditional bail.
An anonymous neighbor told local outlet Teesside Live that she heard someone screaming on the street, “get the baby” or “help the baby,” during the incident.
“I closed the blinds as I was looking after my great-granddaughter. I didn’t want her seeing any of that,” the resident said. “That poor baby, she had no life. It’s absolutely horrendous.”
Bystander Scarlett Calvert told Teesside Live that police warned nearby residents to get inside as they rounded up the dogs before she heard a gunshot. She recalled that the police “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” and was shot on the street.
Cleveland Police Chief Superintendent Rachel Stockdale said in a statement, “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,” she continued. “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.”
