Man arrested after three-year-old boy killed by dog in Rochdale

A man has been arrested after a three-year-old boy was killed by a dog at a farm property in Greater Manchester.

Daniel John Twigg was named by police on Tuesday as the victim of the dog attack in Milnrow, Rochdale, on Sunday afternoon.

Greater Manchester police (GMP) said Daniel was in the area with a number of dogs before being found with serious injuries.

A 48-year-old man was arrested under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 after handing himself in to police custody, the force said. He remains in custody for questioning.

DCI Gina Brennand, of GMP’s major incident team, said: “I send my condolences to Daniel’s loved ones. This is a heartbreaking time for them, specially trained colleagues are supporting them.

“Though a man is in custody, our investigation is very much ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and ensure any criminal offences in relation to Sunday’s incident are identified and prosecutions sought.”

GMP has referred itself to the independent police standards watchdog after it emerged that officers had previous contact at the Carr Lane location where Daniel was killed. The force has confirmed it received a report that a 17-year-old girl was bitten by a dog on the same street on 9 April – five weeks before Sunday’s incident.

Signs at the farm entrance were clearly visible saying: “Dogs are loose. Do not leave your vehicle. Beep or call,” and gave a telephone number. Another sign read: “Warning. Beware of the dogs. They bite.”

Police said several dogs had been seized and one, a cane corso, had been humanely destroyed.