'My baby is dead' screams mum as family dog kills girl, 10, in Yorkshire caravan park

A ten-year-old girl killed by a family pet had a "close, loving relationship" with it, police have said.

The girl was bitten by the pet in the family's home in the Malton area and died at the scene, despite help from a member of the public and emergency services. North Yorkshire Police said the force was called by ambulance crews at 4.15pm on Friday, November 1.

Neighbours told the Mirror they first new the dog - believed to be an XL Bully - had killed the child when they heard her mother screaming 'my baby is dead. My baby is dead', as she ran outside the family's static caravan in East Heslerton, North Yorkshire.

READ MORE:'Devastated' family of 'wonderful' Yorkshire girl, 10, mauled to death by pet speak out

READ MORE:Tributes paid to 'lovely little lass' mauled to death by pet she was excited to get

It is understood the girl had recently boasted to friends about her "new pet," which she described as an "XL Bully." The dog will now be destroyed.

One neighbour said on Sunday: “It is just a horrible tragedy. She was such a sweet thing. I only know her because she would come in the park to play. Everybody is totally shocked and upset about it. The family have not lived here long. I have only met her. I have never met her mum and dad. She would come on the park and play on the swings and I would pass the time of day with her. She was a lovely little girl - really chatty. It is just so sad.”

The family are said to have moved into the static caravan in a private yard behind a shop in the summer, and it is understood they may be related to the land owners. They are said to have only recently got the new dog, which some residents on a neighbouring holiday caravan park had reportedly seen walking around with a muzzle.

A caravan site official said: “We knew they had an XL bully dog. We only knew [the girl] because her mum had asked if she could play in the park and we said ‘Of course she can’. [The girl] told us she had a new dog. It was not that long ago.

“We used to come onto the park and play with the other children. I have never seen or heard the dog and I am here every day. There have been a couple of incidents when people had seen the dog come as far as the yard gate without any muzzle or lead on and that was a bit scary. [The girl] had said herself ‘We have got a new pet’. Other children who played with [the girl] in the yard said it was family pet.”

North Yorkshire Police said in an update on Sunday the dog will be destroyed. A spokesperson for the force said: “Officers are conducting detailed inquiries covering all aspects of the incident. One of the lines of inquiry relates to the behaviour of the dog to help explain, as far as possible, why it attacked the girl.

“All indications so far suggest it was out of character, with the girl and dog having a close, loving relationship.”

The girl has not been named by police and a post-mortem examination is taking place on Sunday evening.

North Yorkshire Police said: “Our thoughts remain with the girl’s family and friends at this very distressing time. Officers are supporting the family while inquiries continue. We also urge people not to speculate about the incident, respect the family’s privacy and allow them to grieve in peace.

“We will provide more information when we are able to.”

Get all the latest and breaking North Yorkshire news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.