Woman charged with dog offence after three-year-old boy's death

A woman has been charged with owning a dangerously out of control dog following the death of a three-year-old boy in August 2016.

Jade Dunne, 29, of Parker Way, Halstead, has been released on bail to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on 27 March.

Dexter Neal died after he was bitten at Dunne's home in Halstead, Essex, on 18 August last year.

The dog, an American Bulldog named Ruby, was seized by police and later put down.

Writing on Facebook at the time, Ashley Coe described Dexter as his "darling nephew", adding: "I can't even begin to describe what state we are all in.

"This is an absolutely devastating loss for my sister and her husband and there's nothing I can say to them."

Witnesses said at the time they heard screaming at around 5.45pm on the day the incident is alleged to have happened.

"Now I know what the scream was, it is absolutely awful," one said, adding: "It was like someone was in pain, definitely - agonising screams."

The tragedy came days after a 52-year-old David Ellam was killed by a dog which had been returned to its owner despite concerns it was dangerous.