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Blackburn dog attack: Mother of 11-month-old Ava Jayne Marie Corless mauled to death arrested Mother of 11-month-old girl mauled to death by dog arrested
(about 5 hours later)
The mother of 11-month-old Ava Jayne Marie Corless, who died after being mauled to death by an “American pitbull-type” dog in Blackburn, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and child neglect. The mother of an 11-month-old girl who was mauled to death by an American pit-bull type dog has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter along with her partner.
Ava was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital from a residence in Emily Street at 11pm yesterday, where she later died. Police described the “horrific” scene after being called to the house in Blackburn, Lancashire where paramedics battled to save Ava Jayne Marie Corless who later died from her injuries in hospital.
The girl's mother has been named locally as Chloe King and the man in custody, her current partner, was named as Lee Wright, who is not the father of the child. She is the 17th person to die in a dog attack in the UK since 2005. Neighbours said they had made previous complaints about an aggressive animal in the street.
Chief Superintendent Chris Bithell of Lancashire Police said both the mother and her partner were initially arrested on suspicion of child neglect, before being re-arrested this morning on the more serious charge of manslaughter and will be questioned by detectives today. The pit bull is one of the only breeds currently banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act. New legislation designed to curb aggressive dogs is set to become law later this spring.
“The lady in custody is the baby's mother and the male in custody is the mother's current boyfriend,” he said. Police said the child was upstairs in bed when she was savaged. Her mother Chloe King and partner Lee Wright were downstairs when the attack happened.
“The baby was upstairs in a bed in one of the front bedrooms and the two people who are currently in custody, they were downstairs when the attack took place.” Chief Superintendent Chris Bithell of Lancashire Police said: “This is an absolutely horrific incident in which a baby girl has lost her life and I would like to take this opportunity to express my own personal sympathy to the wider family of baby Ava.”
A post mortem will take place to find out the exact cause of death. Police have not confirmed the names of those arrested. He said the animal had been destroyed and tests were being carried out to establish the exact breed of the animal.
Asked about claims from neighbours reporting dangerous dogs at the address Mr Bithell said: “As part of the investigation we are making inquiries to see whether there have been previous issues with this particular dog and I think at this moment it would be too early to speculate on that.” The child’s father Dean Corless, who was separated from Ms King, said he was devastated by the tragedy. His family described her as “like a china doll … a lively baby and always happy.”
Ava’s father, Dean Corless, said he was “absolutely devastated” over his daughter’s death. A post mortem examination is due to take place.
“She was the most beautiful and adorable little girl, she was just the best”, he told The Mirror. She was my whole world. The couple were initially arrested on suspicion of neglect although they were later rearrested on the more serious charge of manslaughter.
“Her mum and I aren't together anymore, but I saw Ava-Jayne all the time - I only saw her at the weekend. Blackburn MP, the former Home Secretary Jack Straw, said families needed to be alert to the dangers of such animals. “What will it take to convince people not to keep dogs like this - and to get across to all dog-owners, of every breed of dog, that no dog should ever be left unsupervised with a baby?”
”But I will miss her every single day, I just don't know what to do now. It is just so tragic. I have my family around me now, but we are all devastated.“ Postal workers union the CWU, which has campaigned against dangerous dogs, said: “Dog control laws in England and Wales are rightly being strengthened later this year. Current arrangements are simply not good enough and the punishments do not fit the crimes.”
A female neighbour described the child as “a lovely little girl, always smiling, always happy”. Local authorities and police are to be given greater powers to intervene to prevent attacks and jail irresponsible dog owners in the wake of continuing toll of deaths and serious injuries.
The dog has been seized from the address by Lancashire Police and destroyed. Mr Bithell added: ”Tests will be carried out today to establish the exact breed of the dog and inquiries into the history of the animal. At present only the pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. But concern over the safety of some breeds – particularly bull mastiffs - has risen sharply in recent months following the death of 14-year-old Jade Anderson in Wigan last March who was mauled by four dogs.
“I'm told its quite a large pit bull type dog.” Owners of dangerous dogs could face up to 14 years in prison and unlimited fines. New laws included in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill will also make it illegal to possess a violent dog in a private home.
Detective Superintendent Simon Giles said: “This is a tragic incident and specially trained officers are offering support to the wider family. The Kennel Club has backed the Government’s stance arguing it is important to target the “deed not the breed”. Opponents of increasing the number of proscribed breeds have argued that the policy has failed in Denmark where 13 breeds were banned in 2010 with plans to outlaw a further 12.
”A full investigation is under way.“
No-one else has been injured in the attack. Officers are continuing to carry out enquiries at the scene.
Additional reporting by Press Association