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Dog seized after baby death: Police investigation continues Eliza-Mae's parents say she will 'always be in our hearts'
(about 3 hours later)
Police who seized a dog from a Carmarthenshire house are continuing to investigate the sudden death of six-day-old baby girl. The parents of a six-day-old baby who died at a house in Carmarthenshire where a dog was later seized have paid tribute to a "dearly loved daughter".
Eliza-Mae Mullane from Pontyberem was flown to hospital in Cardiff but medical teams were unable to save her. Eliza-Mae Mullane from Pontyberem was flown to hospital in Cardiff on Tuesday but doctors were unable to save her.
Neighbours have been speaking of their shock at the death on Tuesday just days after the new-born came home. Her parents Sharon John and Patrick Mullane, said they would cherish the short time they had with her, adding "she will always be in our hearts."
An Alaskan Malamute was taken away from the house but the cause of the baby's death has not yet been confirmed. The family's pet Alaskan Malamute Nisha has been seized by police.
"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," a police spokesman said on Tuesday evening. The tribute continued: "Even though she was an important part of our family for such a short period of time, Eliza-Mae will always be in our hearts and thoughts and we will cherish the little time we were able to share with her.
It is known that the dog taken away was a pet, called Nisha. "She was a dearly loved daughter, sister, grand-daughter and niece.
Dyfed-Powys Police officers were called to a house in New Road, Pontyberem - a former mining village - shortly before 08:30 GMT on Tuesday. "She brought joy into our family, and losing her like this has cast the most horrible shadow over all of us.
Neighbour Patricia Punter, 71, said Eliza-Mae's mother Sharon John ran outside shouting that her baby had died. "There are no words we can use to describe what we feel at the moment, and we don't think there ever will be.
"It was terrible - I've never heard anything like it. Sharon was in a state of shock and just screaming," she said. "We are extremely grateful for all the support shown to us by the community,"
Police were called to a house in New Road, Pontyberem shortly before 08:30 GMT on Tuesday.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the investigation was at an early stage and said they would not speculate on reports from people in the community.
The cause of the baby's death is not yet known and the force has not given any details of her injuries.
On Tuesday Ch Insp Ieuan Mathews of Dyfed-Powys Police said the family's Alaskan Malamute, which is not a banned breed, was a key element of the police inquiry.
'Heartbreaking''Heartbreaking'
The neighbour said the dog had been brought to the family home by Ms John's partner Patrick Mullane after a night out at a pub. Neighbours and friends spoke of their shock and sadness at the news.
"She'd only brought the baby home in the last week. It is just awful - they loved their dogs as much as their children," added Ms Punter.
Family friend Gemma Prosser said: "It's just heartbreaking for Sharon and Patrick.Family friend Gemma Prosser said: "It's just heartbreaking for Sharon and Patrick.
"One minute they had a bundle of joy in their arms and all those lovely things to look forward to when you are new parents."One minute they had a bundle of joy in their arms and all those lovely things to look forward to when you are new parents.
"The next minute they have lost their little girl in such a terrible way.""The next minute they have lost their little girl in such a terrible way."
Plaid Cymru councillor Joy Williams told BBC Radio Wales that Ms John was "a very pleasant and obviously very busy and hardworking mum".
"The village is still stunned and in a state of shock," she said.
"We are all deeply saddened and devastated at what has happened.
"We have heard of other tragedies such as this but they have always been somebody else's tragedy in other parts of the globe - we never for a moment thought a tragedy of this nature could strike a young family in our very own community.
"We will rally round this family and offer help and support needed."
Ch Insp Ieuan Mathews of Dyfed-Powys Police said the investigation into Eliza-Mae's death remained at an early stage.
"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," he said.
"I think it's fair to say that [the dog] is a key element of the inquiry from the initial information that was presented to us when the emergency services arrived.
"As you can imagine, the family are hugely distressed.
He added that these were "very tragic circumstances and our hearts go out to everybody 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 on its website as "heavy boned and powerfully built" as well as affectionate and friendly.The Alaskan Malamute Club of the United Kingdom described the breed on its website as "heavy boned and powerfully built" as well as affectionate and friendly.