A 45-year-old man has been arrested after a three-month-old baby girl died in a suspected dog attack in Redcar, North Yorkshire. Cleveland Police were called to a house in the Dormanstown area shortly after 1.30pm on Thursday following a report of concern for the child's welfare. The baby is believed to have died as a result of a dog bite.
A 31-year-old woman was treated in hospital for an arm injury from a dog bite. Armed police destroyed one dog that had gone onto the street, while a second dog recovered by police has also been destroyed. The dogs were assessed by a specialist officer and deemed not to be a prohibited type, though neighbours described them as pocket bully-type dogs, possibly crossbreeds.
The arrested man was released on conditional bail after being questioned on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. Chief Superintendent Rachel Stockdale, head of local policing at Cleveland Police, said: 'Our thoughts continue to be with the child’s family following this tragic and distressing incident. I want to take this opportunity to request that their privacy is respected during this difficult time.'
A scene remains in place at the property, and police are appealing for information, mobile phone footage, doorbell or dashcam footage. The North East Ambulance Service dispatched three ambulance crews, a clinical team leader and a duty officer to the incident.
