Police name child killed by dog

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An 18-month-old girl killed by a dog at her home in West Sussex on Saturday has been named by police as Zumer Ahmed.

She was in the kitchen with her grandmother, mother and sister when the dog - believed to be an American bulldog - attacked her in Crawley.

A post-mortem examination showed she died from haemorrhaging and a fractured skull from multiple dog bites.

Zumer's uncle Urfan Ahmed, 32, has been bailed until July on suspicion of manslaughter pending further inquiries.

Sussex Police said it was trying to establish the circumstances which led up to the incident.

The dog picked up the child and attacked her in front of her family Det Ch Insp Trevor Bowles

Officers were called to reports of a girl suffering head injuries in Cotton Walk, Broadfield, just after midday on Saturday.

She was taken to East Surrey Hospital but died shortly after arrival.

The dog is set to be destroyed.

Det Ch Insp Trevor Bowles said the dog picked up Zumer and mauled her in front of her family.

Two workmen at a nearby property heard screaming and ran to help. They distracted the dog which dropped the girl.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said officers believe the dog is an American bulldog but that was yet to be confirmed by experts.

American bulldogs are not a breed banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Police said the girl's uncle was not in the property at the time of the attack, but arrived shortly afterwards and was arrested.