Police appeal for information as boy, 11, 'mauled to death' by family dog

Police in Northern Ireland are investigating the death of an 11-year-old boy who may have been mauled to death by the family’s dog.

Paramedics were called to a house on Queen’s Avenue in Newtownabbey, County Antrim at midday on Sunday after the attack.

The boy, named as Ryan Busa, had lacerations and was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, where he later died.

A 38-year-old man, believed to be the boy’s father, is said to be assisting police with their inquiries. A post-mortem examination is due to take place today.

Police would not confirm if the dog, believed to be an Alsatian or German Shepheard, had been put down.

A neighbour said they heard shouting and they saw that the child was left “soaked in blood.”

“His head was bandaged as they were putting him in the back of the ambulance. By the way he looked, I don’t think he would have survived even to get to the hospital,” they added.

Newtownabbey councillor Noreen McClelland said: “This was a little boy who was out playing with other little boys on the street during the summer.

“It is just heartbreaking to think that his life has gone.

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“People are just devastated. My thoughts and prayers are with the child’s family and friends at this horrendous time.

“I know that people will rally around them to offer their support.”

Neighbours said Lithuanian family — a father and his two young sons — had lived in the house for a year.

Amanda Mullen, 50, who lives just a few doors away, described the scene to the Belfast Telegraph.

“I looked out the window and saw an ambulance,” she said.

“Then I saw police wearing plastic gloves – that’s when I knew something was wrong. I saw the wee boy Ryan being brought out of the house.

“He was plastered with blood. His head was wrapped up and the ambulance men were trying to do CPR on him.

“They did it outside the house and inside the ambulance, and then rushed him off to hospital.”

Police are appealing for anyone in the local community who has any information that can assist with the investigation to contact detectives by calling 101, quoting reference number 848 15/10/17