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Police seize family dog after sudden death of six-day-old baby Eliza-Mae Mullane in South Wales Police seize family dog after sudden death of six-day-old baby Eliza-Mae Mullane in South Wales
(about 7 hours later)
Police have seized a family dog after the sudden death of six-day-old Eliza-Mae Mullane at a home in South Wales.Police have seized a family dog after the sudden death of six-day-old Eliza-Mae Mullane at a home in South Wales.
Dyfed Powys Police said they were called to a property on New Road, in the village of Pontyberem in Carmarthenshire, Wales, at 8.30am on Tuesday.Dyfed Powys Police said they were called to a property on New Road, in the village of Pontyberem in Carmarthenshire, Wales, at 8.30am on Tuesday.
The newborn was airlifted to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff, where she was pronounced dead.The newborn was airlifted to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff, where she was pronounced dead.
The dog seized from the property was an Alaskan Malamute, the force spokeswoman confirmed.The dog seized from the property was an Alaskan Malamute, the force spokeswoman confirmed.
A spokeswoman for Dyfed Powys Police said that a police investigation is ongoing, adding: "We are not in a position to confirm the exact cause of death or the injuries to the baby at the moment.A spokeswoman for Dyfed Powys Police said that a police investigation is ongoing, adding: "We are not in a position to confirm the exact cause of death or the injuries to the baby at the moment.
"We are not going to speculate on reports from people in the community and we respectfully ask that you wait for the investigation to run its proper course."We are not going to speculate on reports from people in the community and we respectfully ask that you wait for the investigation to run its proper course.
"The parents have not been interviewed by the police, this morning arrangements were made for them to be taken to the hospital to be with their baby," she added."The parents have not been interviewed by the police, this morning arrangements were made for them to be taken to the hospital to be with their baby," she added.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, described the dog as "docile".One neighbour, who asked not to be named, described the dog as "docile".
She said she had been into the home "several times" where she saw the dog.She said she had been into the home "several times" where she saw the dog.
"There was nothing wrong with that dog. It had been around children for a few years."There was nothing wrong with that dog. It had been around children for a few years.
"Certainly I had no concerns about it," she said."Certainly I had no concerns about it," she said.
The woman said Eliza-Mae Mullane's mother had two other children, a boy and a girl both of school and nursery age, and that she had lived at the address for around a decade.The woman said Eliza-Mae Mullane's mother had two other children, a boy and a girl both of school and nursery age, and that she had lived at the address for around a decade.
Alaskan Malamutes were originally bred as sled dogs for work in the Arctic, but are now popular as family pets.Alaskan Malamutes were originally bred as sled dogs for work in the Arctic, but are now popular as family pets.
The Alaskan Malamute Club of the United Kingdom describes the breed as a "affectionate, friendly, loyal, devoted companion" on its website.The Alaskan Malamute Club of the United Kingdom describes the breed as a "affectionate, friendly, loyal, devoted companion" on its website.
An ideal Alaskan Malamute is "heavily boned, powerfully built", it says.An ideal Alaskan Malamute is "heavily boned, powerfully built", it says.
Alan Lewis, chairman of Pontyberem Community Council, said: "We are only a village of 2,500 to 3,000.Alan Lewis, chairman of Pontyberem Community Council, said: "We are only a village of 2,500 to 3,000.
"It is a huge shock for the particular community. Our thoughts go to the family involved, obviously."It is a huge shock for the particular community. Our thoughts go to the family involved, obviously.
"From what I understand, the police are still continuing their investigations and the area is cordoned off.""From what I understand, the police are still continuing their investigations and the area is cordoned off."
Mr Lewis described Pontyberem as a "an ex-mining community village".Mr Lewis described Pontyberem as a "an ex-mining community village".
Caroline Kisko, Secretary of dog welfare organisation the Kennel Club , said: “Our deepest sympathies go to Eliza-Mae Mullane’s family at this tragic time. Whilst we do not know the circumstances regarding this terrible incident our general advice to families is to ensure that young children and dogs are always supervised when together, regardless of the breed.
"This is particularly important when a new born baby is brought into a household."