Baby girl killed in Daventry dog attack

The attack took place on an estate on the outskirts of Daventry

A six-month-old girl has been killed in a dog attack in Daventry.

Northamptonshire Police were called at about 22:30 BST on Friday to the home on Morning Star Road after reports the baby, who was in the care of a relative, was being attacked.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate the child who was taken to Northampton General Hospital where she was confirmed dead.

The dog was destroyed at the scene. Its breed is not yet known.

The relative sustained bite wounds during her attempt to intervene.

Phil Morris, from the East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "We received an emergency call reporting that a baby girl had been attacked by a dog... We responded by dispatching three clinicians in fast response cars, a double crewed ambulance and a doctor.

"Crews provided emergency treatment to the baby... 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 tragedy has sparked calls for new, tougher rules to be put in place to prevent potentially dangerous dogs from being housed in family homes

Neil Bradford, BBC Look East reporter at the scene, said: "There's a rather sombre atmosphere on this housing development tonight.

"News is very much still filtering through to the residents. They are visibly upset by what happened."

Tony Prior, who lives nearby, said: "You hear this on the telly, but you don't realise it can happen on your own doorstep. It's very said, her death is tragic, it must be terrible for the family."

'Tragic incident'

Det Sgt Gary Baker, who is leading the investigation, said: "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.

"The family have requested that they be left to grieve at this difficult time."

It is understood Northamptonshire Police have dealt with 62 instances of attacks involving dogs in the past two years.

Chris Over, from Daventry District Council, said the death was a "wake-up call" to bring back dog licensing.

'So sad'

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.

"This tragedy highlights that responsible dog ownership is something we must encourage."

Neighbour Denise Dodd, herself a dog owner, told BBC Look East: "It's terrible. A dog must know its place and always be kept there. I love my dog but she has to know we're the boss of her.

"It's so sad. The poor child, the poor parents as well."

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said they would not be commenting further at this stage.