Woman charged over Essex dog attack that killed three-year-old boy

A woman has been charged with owning a dangerously out-of-control dog that mauled a three-year-old boy to death last year.

Jade Dunne, 29, was arrested following the death of Dexter Neal at her home in Halstead, Essex, in August.

The American bulldog was destroyed in the aftermath of the attack.

Speaking shortly after the boy’s death, neighbours described how they heard “terrible screams” from inside the house as the frenzied attack took place.

The little boy, who was from neighbouring Ronald Road, was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge but later died from his injuries.

Dexter’s uncle Ashley Cole lead the tributes to his nephew on Facebook.

He wrote: “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.”

Halstead’s mayor, Shirley Diver, told the Guardian at the time that the town was devastated. She said: “I was down there this morning. It is a very quiet little road, people have lived there for years. But I know this family hadn’t been there a terribly long time.

“We are a very child and dog-orientated town. This is the sort of thing you hear of in other towns, not in our town. Everyone I’ve spoken to has said: ‘Isn’t it dreadful?’ We all feel at a loss because there is nothing we can do at this stage. We just feel for the family. People just need to be aware that dogs should not be left with children.”

Dunne has been released on bail and will appear at Colchester magistrates court on 27 March.