Detectives have been granted extra time to question a man held on suspicion of murdering another man who was attacked by a dog on a footpath in Wakefield.
West Yorkshire Police responded to reports of an incident on the disused railway line footpath off Blacker Lane in the Calder Grove area of Wakefield on Saturday afternoon. A 55-year-old man was attacked by a dog, believed to be a German shepherd, and later died in hospital.
Arrest and Further Detention
On Monday, police announced they had obtained a warrant of further detention for a man, also aged 55, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place causing injury.
Detectives confirmed they had located and interviewed the two people who stopped to help the injured man at the scene, reports Yorkshire Live. On Monday morning, part of the police cordon remained in place blocking the path entrance, beside an old railway bridge, though no officers were present. The only sign of continuing police presence was a patrol vehicle positioned a short distance along Blacker Lane.
Appeal for Information
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Cox, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: "The two people who stopped to assist and direct police have both come forward and given their accounts to us. I would like to thank them and others who have shared our appeal or come forward with information."
He added: "We are aware of some inaccurate discussion online about the person we have in custody and would urge people to avoid speculation about those involved and what has taken place. If there is anyone else who was in the area at the time of this incident or anyone else who has information that could assist our enquiries, then I would ask them to please make contact with the investigation team."
The dog thought to have been involved has been seized and remains in police custody. The investigation continues, and specialist support is being offered to the man's family.
