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Six-month-old baby killed in dog attack Six-month-old baby killed in dog attack
(about 3 hours later)
The family of a baby girl who died after being attacked by a dog have been left devastated, police have said.The family of a baby girl who died after being attacked by a dog have been left devastated, police have said.
A relative who was looking after the six-month-old child also suffered bite wounds as she tried to wrestle the animal off.A relative who was looking after the six-month-old child also suffered bite wounds as she tried to wrestle the animal off.
Police and paramedics were called to the address in Daventry, Northamptonshire, at 10.30pm on Friday night, where they tried to resuscitate the infant. Police and paramedics were called to an address in Daventry, Northamptonshire, at 10.30pm on Friday night, where they tried to resuscitate the infant.
The six-month-old was taken to Northampton general hospital where she was confirmed dead, Northamptonshire police said. The dog was destroyed at the scene.The six-month-old was taken to Northampton general hospital where she was confirmed dead, Northamptonshire police said. The dog was destroyed at the scene.
Police said they could not yet confirm the breed of dog. Experts will carry out tests early next week to determine what kind it was.Police said they could not yet confirm the breed of dog. Experts will carry out tests early next week to determine what kind it was.
DS Gary Baker, who is leading the investigation, said on Saturday: “This was a deeply distressing and tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family who have been left devastated by the events of last night.DS Gary Baker, who is leading the investigation, said on Saturday: “This was a deeply distressing and tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family who have been left devastated by the events of last night.
“Incidents such as these are extremely rare in this country, but that will be of little comfort to the relatives of this tragically young victim.“Incidents such as these are extremely rare in this country, but that will be of little comfort to the relatives of this tragically young victim.
“The family have requested that they be left to grieve at this difficult time.”“The family have requested that they be left to grieve at this difficult time.”
Phil Morris, spokesman for East Midlands ambulance service, said: “We received an emergency call from the Northamptonshire Police on Saturday night at 10.31pm reporting that a baby girl had been attacked by a dog at an address in Daventry. Phil Morris, a spokesman for East Midlands ambulance service, said: “We received an emergency call from the Northamptonshire police on Saturday night at 10.31pm reporting that a baby girl had been attacked by a dog at an address in Daventry.
“We responded by dispatching three clinicians in fast response cars, a double-crewed ambulance and a doctor. Crews provided emergency treatment to the baby who was then taken to the Northampton general hospital.“We responded by dispatching three clinicians in fast response cars, a double-crewed ambulance and a doctor. Crews provided emergency treatment to the baby who was then taken to the Northampton general hospital.
“Although our staff did everything possible, tragically, the baby did not survive her injuries. This was a very distressing incident and we offer our deepest sympathies to the family.”“Although our staff did everything possible, tragically, the baby did not survive her injuries. This was a very distressing incident and we offer our deepest sympathies to the family.”
The Daventry Conservative MP Chris Heaton-Harris said the officers who went to the scene in Morning Star Road were left traumatised at the “horrific incident” they witnessed. The Daventry Conservative MP, Chris Heaton-Harris, said the officers who went to the scene in Morning Star Road were left traumatised at the “horrific incident” they witnessed.
It is understood the force have dealt with 62 instances of attacks involving dogs in the past two years.It is understood the force have dealt with 62 instances of attacks involving dogs in the past two years.
The tragedy has sparked calls for new, tougher rules to be put in place to prevent potentially dangerous dogs from being housed in family homes.The tragedy has sparked calls for new, tougher rules to be put in place to prevent potentially dangerous dogs from being housed in family homes.
Chris Over, a Conservative councillor on Daventry district council, said the death was a “wake-up call” to bring back dog licensing. He said: “This is shocking. This is a terrible situation – the trauma for the family must be awful and our hearts go out to them. Chris Over, a Conservative councillor on Daventry district council, said the death was a “wake-up call” to bring back dog licensing. He said: “This is shocking. This is a terrible situation. The trauma for the family must be awful and our hearts go out to them.
“It is a wake-up call for people to make certain that when they select a dog it is a breed that has a good reputation and that they are able to control the dog.“It is a wake-up call for people to make certain that when they select a dog it is a breed that has a good reputation and that they are able to control the dog.
“There have been a number of incidents like this around the country in recent times. It seems to me that there should be some kind of legislation in place. Dog licences would mean that hopefully only responsible people would own dogs.”“There have been a number of incidents like this around the country in recent times. It seems to me that there should be some kind of legislation in place. Dog licences would mean that hopefully only responsible people would own dogs.”
Dog owners in Britain used to be required to have a licence but they were widely ignored and eventually abolished in 1987.Dog owners in Britain used to be required to have a licence but they were widely ignored and eventually abolished in 1987.
In December 2012, Milly-Anne Hemley, from the village of Long Buckby just four miles from Daventry, lost part of her leg when her Staffordshire bull terrier bit her as she got ready for school, according to reports. The schoolgirl, who was 10 at the time, had to have her leg amputated at the calf.In December 2012, Milly-Anne Hemley, from the village of Long Buckby just four miles from Daventry, lost part of her leg when her Staffordshire bull terrier bit her as she got ready for school, according to reports. The schoolgirl, who was 10 at the time, had to have her leg amputated at the calf.