Boy, 3, dies after Rochdale dog attack at farm
- Published
The attack happened at a home on a farm in a rural area of Rochdale
A three-year-old boy has died in a "devastating" dog attack at a farm in Greater Manchester.
The young child was outdoors with a number of dogs in Carr Lane, in the town of Milnrow, before being found with serious injuries, police said.
He was treated by paramedics but later pronounced dead at hospital.
Greater Manchester Police said several dogs had been seized and one was humanely destroyed. No arrests have been made.
The force said it was looking at previous incidents involving dogs at the home, close to the M62 motorway, and had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct "due to previous contact".
Police have sealed off the rural area close to the M62 motorway
The lane leading to the farm, which is in a rural area of Rochdale, has been sealed off by officers.
A forensic tent was seen near the home as well as two discarded police shields used by officers for protection from the dog when they arrived.
Assistant Chief Constable Scott Green said: "A thorough investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and review other incidents of note.
"Due to previous contact, GMP's Professional Standards Branch is making a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
He said the force was aware of speculation on social media and asked people to "refrain from engaging in speculation".
Police have launched a criminal investigation
Det Supt Jamie Daniels said it was a "tragic, devastating incident" and officers thoughts were with the family.
"Our enquiries to find out what happened will be thorough and are very much in their infancy," he said
"I understand this is an extremely distressing incident for all concerned and this news will rock the local community."
He said detectives were keeping an open mind in terms of what may have happened.
Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, external, Twitter, external and Instagram, external? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk