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Three-year-old boy dies after dog attack in Essex Three-year-old boy dies after dog attack in Essex
(35 minutes later)
A three-year-old boy has died after being mauled by a dog in Essex, the second fatal dog attack in Britain in four days. A three-year-old boy who died after being mauled by a dog in Essex, in the second fatal dog attack in Britain in four days, has been named by police as Dexter Neal.
The incident happened at a property in a residential street in Halstead at 5.40pm on Thursday, with neighbours hearing screaming. Dexter was attacked at a property in a residential street in Halstead at 5.40pm on Thursday, with neighbours hearing screaming.
A 29-year-old woman was arrested for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and injuring a person, Essex police said. The dog was seized by police and placed in kennels. Police said they had yet to establish its breed. A 29-year-old woman was arrested for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and injuring a person, Essex police said. She remains in custody. The dog, identified as an American bulldog, was seized by police and placed in kennels.
Family liaison officers were deployed to support Dexter’s parents and siblings.
Two officers were guarding the semi-detached home in Parker Way where the attack happened, as forensic officers examined the property.Two officers were guarding the semi-detached home in Parker Way where the attack happened, as forensic officers examined the property.
The boy was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridgeshire where he died from his injuries, the East of England ambulance service said. The dog involved is believed to have been acquired by the family in the last few weeks. Dexter, from neighbouring Ronald Road was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridgeshire where he died from his injuries, the East of England ambulance service said.
Scott Howell, 19, called the police after hearing “terrible screaming” and seeing a dog covered in blood being dragged from the house.Scott Howell, 19, called the police after hearing “terrible screaming” and seeing a dog covered in blood being dragged from the house.
Photographs from the home showed a toy car speckled with blood.Photographs from the home showed a toy car speckled with blood.
Speaking to Essex Live, Howell said: “I heard this terrible screaming and thought it was kids playing in the garden, but then I thought this is going on a bit too long.Speaking to Essex Live, Howell said: “I heard this terrible screaming and thought it was kids playing in the garden, but then I thought this is going on a bit too long.
“I went to my parents’ bedroom window facing the house and that is when I saw the man dragging the dog out. Its face was covered in blood.“I went to my parents’ bedroom window facing the house and that is when I saw the man dragging the dog out. Its face was covered in blood.
“That is when I thought I need to call the police. As I was describing what was happening to the police I saw a woman come out of the house and she was holding a very bloody child in her arms.“That is when I thought I need to call the police. As I was describing what was happening to the police I saw a woman come out of the house and she was holding a very bloody child in her arms.
“She quickly went back in the house. I could hear the man counting ‘one, two, three, four’ like they were doing CPR.”“She quickly went back in the house. I could hear the man counting ‘one, two, three, four’ like they were doing CPR.”
BBC Essex tweeted this interview with Howell:BBC Essex tweeted this interview with Howell:
Halstead man who dialled 999 describes 'terrible scenes' at fatal dog attack house https://t.co/jw0I2Cl26T pic.twitter.com/7HjWR5FFkzHalstead man who dialled 999 describes 'terrible scenes' at fatal dog attack house https://t.co/jw0I2Cl26T pic.twitter.com/7HjWR5FFkz
Halstead’s mayor, Shirley Diver, told the Guardian that the town was devastated and in shock. She said: “I was down there this morning. It is a very quiet little road, people have lived there for years. But I know this family hadn’t been there a terribly long time.Halstead’s mayor, Shirley Diver, told the Guardian that the town was devastated and in shock. She said: “I was down there this morning. It is a very quiet little road, people have lived there for years. But I know this family hadn’t been there a terribly long time.
“I think it was their dog, but I’m not 100% sure. And I believe they have other children. We are a very child and dog orientated town. This is the sort of thing you hear of in other towns, not in our town. Everyone I’ve spoken to have said ‘isn’t it dreadful’. We all feel at a loss because there is nothing we can do at this stage. We just feel for the family. People just need to be aware that dogs should not be left with children.” “We are a very child- and dog-orientated town. This is the sort of thing you hear of in other towns, not in our town. Everyone I’ve spoken to have said ‘isn’t it dreadful’. We all feel at a loss because there is nothing we can do at this stage. We just feel for the family. People just need to be aware that dogs should not be left with children.”
Norma Younger said she heard screaming at about 5.45pm. Speaking to the Guardian she said: “I did hear the screaming, otherwise I wouldn’t have known. At the time I didn’t think it was that bad, but afterwards I realised it was. I don’t know the family, I’ve never spoken to them, but they live just across the road a bit further along.”Norma Younger said she heard screaming at about 5.45pm. Speaking to the Guardian she said: “I did hear the screaming, otherwise I wouldn’t have known. At the time I didn’t think it was that bad, but afterwards I realised it was. I don’t know the family, I’ve never spoken to them, but they live just across the road a bit further along.”
On Monday David Ellam, 52, was killed by a dog that had been returned to its owner despite concerns that it was dangerous. He was out walking with his yorkshire terrier close to his home in Huddersfield when he was attacked by another dog. He later died in hospital.On Monday David Ellam, 52, was killed by a dog that had been returned to its owner despite concerns that it was dangerous. He was out walking with his yorkshire terrier close to his home in Huddersfield when he was attacked by another dog. He later died in hospital.
West Yorkshire police said the animal that attacked Ellam had been seized by police following a visit by a dog warden in June, and had been returned to its owner on 8 August after it was determined that it was not a banned breed.West Yorkshire police said the animal that attacked Ellam had been seized by police following a visit by a dog warden in June, and had been returned to its owner on 8 August after it was determined that it was not a banned breed.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has said it will open an investigation into Monday’s attack.The Independent Police Complaints Commission has said it will open an investigation into Monday’s attack.
The Labour MP Barry Sheerman, who represents Huddersfield, called for a new system of dog licensing and a full inquiry following the death of the boy.The Labour MP Barry Sheerman, who represents Huddersfield, called for a new system of dog licensing and a full inquiry following the death of the boy.
Now is the right time to seriously consider a new system of dog licensing in our country #StopDogAttacksNow is the right time to seriously consider a new system of dog licensing in our country #StopDogAttacks
Speaking to the Guardian, he said: “These two deaths in four days mean we have got to seriously look at the evidence of a proper licensing system for dogs. Other parts of the world do it so much better than us.”Speaking to the Guardian, he said: “These two deaths in four days mean we have got to seriously look at the evidence of a proper licensing system for dogs. Other parts of the world do it so much better than us.”
Sheerman, a former chair of the Commons education select committee, added: “It should be mandatory. The old dog licence was not a proper licensing system, there were no real checks on the appropriateness of the home where the pet would be brought up. People are getting dogs and not looking after them properly, and we know there is a ghastly subculture of dogfighting up and down this country. We all know it happens, but it’s below the surface.Sheerman, a former chair of the Commons education select committee, added: “It should be mandatory. The old dog licence was not a proper licensing system, there were no real checks on the appropriateness of the home where the pet would be brought up. People are getting dogs and not looking after them properly, and we know there is a ghastly subculture of dogfighting up and down this country. We all know it happens, but it’s below the surface.
“Every dog should be examined in terms of its breed and appropriateness for the home it is going to go to. Licences should be refused if the home is deemed inappropriate.”“Every dog should be examined in terms of its breed and appropriateness for the home it is going to go to. Licences should be refused if the home is deemed inappropriate.”
Sheerman said new legislation should not repeat the mistake of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which banned some pit bull terriers and other breeds following attacks in the early 1990s.Sheerman said new legislation should not repeat the mistake of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which banned some pit bull terriers and other breeds following attacks in the early 1990s.
He said: “I was around when the Dangerous Dogs Act was brought in. It was kneejerk and too fast. I don’t want anything like that. What I do want is a proper licensing.He said: “I was around when the Dangerous Dogs Act was brought in. It was kneejerk and too fast. I don’t want anything like that. What I do want is a proper licensing.
“My son recently homed two kittens from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. There was a rigorous interview, a rigorous check on background and a home visit. Why can’t we have a dog licence system of that quality up and down the country?”“My son recently homed two kittens from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. There was a rigorous interview, a rigorous check on background and a home visit. Why can’t we have a dog licence system of that quality up and down the country?”
The Labour MP Luciana Berger also urged the government to act.The Labour MP Luciana Berger also urged the government to act.
2nd dangerous dog death in a week. So so sad. How many more people have to lose their lives for serious Government action to be taken?2nd dangerous dog death in a week. So so sad. How many more people have to lose their lives for serious Government action to be taken?
James Cleverly, MP for Braintree, whose constituency includes Halstead, said: “It’s a small town with a very strong sense of community and this will be a massive shock. It will be a body blow to the town.James Cleverly, MP for Braintree, whose constituency includes Halstead, said: “It’s a small town with a very strong sense of community and this will be a massive shock. It will be a body blow to the town.
“There’s a huge sense of civic pride and when news like this happens in your local area it’s a real shock.”“There’s a huge sense of civic pride and when news like this happens in your local area it’s a real shock.”