A 45-year-old man has been arrested following the death of a three-month-old baby girl 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 after concerns for the child's welfare. The baby is believed to have died from a dog bite.
A 31-year-old woman was treated in hospital for an arm injury sustained from a dog bite. Armed police destroyed one dog that had entered the street, while a second dog recovered by officers was later destroyed. The man was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. He has been released on conditional bail pending further inquiries.
Police confirmed that the dogs were assessed by a specialist officer and deemed not to be a prohibited type. Neighbours told Teesside Live the dogs were pocket bully-type dogs, possibly crossbreeds. One neighbour reported seeing a dog “running up and down the street” after the attack.
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.” She added that a scene remains in place at the property and appealed for anyone with information, mobile phone footage, doorbell or dashcam footage to come forward.
The North East Ambulance Service dispatched three ambulance crews, a clinical team leader and a duty officer to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
