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| Police seize dog as six-day-old baby in Pontyberem dies | Police seize dog as six-day-old baby in Pontyberem dies |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A baby girl who died at a house in Carmarthenshire where a dog was later seized was six days old, Dyfed-Powys Police said. | |
| Officers were called to a property in New Road, Pontyberem, shortly before 08:30 GMT on Tuesday. | Officers were called to a property in New Road, Pontyberem, shortly before 08:30 GMT on Tuesday. |
| The child was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, the Welsh Ambulance Service said. | |
| The dog involved in the incident was an Alaskan Malamute, which is not a banned breed. | |
| "The baby girl was just six days old," Ch Insp Ieuan Mathews said in a statement. | |
| "We were called by the Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust just before 8.30am this morning and the baby was taken by Helimed... sadly she was later pronounced dead at University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff. | |
| "The family dog - an Alaskan Malamute - has been seized by police in connection with the ongoing enquiry. I can confirm that this dog is not listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act. | |
| "Clearly, our sympathies are with the family at this tragic time and we have specialist officers who are supporting them. All I would ask is that you give them time and space to grieve. | |
| "As far as our enquiries are concerned, the investigation is still at an early stage." | |
| Speaking at a news conference in the village, Ch Insp Mathews said it was tragic and his heart went out to the baby's family. | |
| "As you can imagine, the family are hugely distressed," he said. | |
| "We facilitated their transport and arrival at the [University] hospital to spend time with their little baby girl. As I say, very tragic circumstances and our hearts go out to everybody involved." | |
| A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 8.26am to a medical emergency at a property in Pontyberem. | A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 8.26am to a medical emergency at a property in Pontyberem. |
| "We sent a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, an emergency ambulance and the Helimed helicopter to the scene, and a baby was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales." | "We sent a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, an emergency ambulance and the Helimed helicopter to the scene, and a baby was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales." |
| 'Shocked and saddened' | 'Shocked and saddened' |
| Nearby neighbour Ann Williams, who lives in New Road, said they knew of the family but did not know them well. | Nearby neighbour Ann Williams, who lives in New Road, said they knew of the family but did not know them well. |
| "The first thing we heard were sirens going like blazes," she said. | "The first thing we heard were sirens going like blazes," she said. |
| "There was a first response car followed by an ambulance and police and a doctor. Then after the first ambulance, another ambulance arrived. | "There was a first response car followed by an ambulance and police and a doctor. Then after the first ambulance, another ambulance arrived. |
| "Then a dog vehicle arrived. It must have been 9.30-10am. | "Then a dog vehicle arrived. It must have been 9.30-10am. |
| "We didn't know what to think - there was so many police, so many vehicles. We obviously thought something was radically wrong. | "We didn't know what to think - there was so many police, so many vehicles. We obviously thought something was radically wrong. |
| "We are shocked and saddened - what else can you be? We have grandchildren of our own. | "We are shocked and saddened - what else can you be? We have grandchildren of our own. |
| "You don't expect to have this in your own street." | "You don't expect to have this in your own street." |
| 'Extremely supportive' | 'Extremely supportive' |
| Alan Lewis, chairman of Pontyberem Community Council said: "We are just horrified with what's happened and our thoughts go out to the family." | Alan Lewis, chairman of Pontyberem Community Council said: "We are just horrified with what's happened and our thoughts go out to the family." |
| He said Pontyberem - home to around 2,700 people - was a small, quiet village where "everybody looks out for each other". | He said Pontyberem - home to around 2,700 people - was a small, quiet village where "everybody looks out for each other". |
| Another community councillor, Alban Rees, said the death was "astounding", adding: "This is a young family and a young life has been lost. This is the first time I've come across anything like this. | Another community councillor, Alban Rees, said the death was "astounding", adding: "This is a young family and a young life has been lost. This is the first time I've come across anything like this. |
| "I'm sure the community will be extremely supportive and do anything to help the family involved." | "I'm sure the community will be extremely supportive and do anything to help the family involved." |
| Alaskan Malamutes were originally bred as sled dogs for work in the Arctic but have become popular as family pets. | Alaskan Malamutes were originally bred as sled dogs for work in the Arctic but have become popular as family pets. |
| The Alaskan Malamute Club of the United Kingdom described the breed as "heavy boned and powerfully built" as well as affectionate and friendly on its website. | The Alaskan Malamute Club of the United Kingdom described the breed as "heavy boned and powerfully built" as well as affectionate and friendly on its website. |