Mum found 'lovely little lass' dead in XL Bully attack horror before running to neighbours screaming 'my baby's dead'

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A mother ran out of her house screaming to neighbours "my baby is dead, my baby is dead" following a horrific XL Bully attack that killed her "lovely little lass".

A ten-year-old girl, known only as Savannah, was found mauled to death by the family pet XL Bully dog by her mother.

The child had recently told friends: "I have got a new pet - an XL Bully."

She had previously owned a bearded dragon lizard and was excited about caring for a dog. One neighbour said today: "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."

Residents of the holiday caravan park near Malton, North Yorks were unaware of the tragedy until the girl's mother emerged from her home screaming.

The family had moved into the static caravan in a private yard over the summer. It is believed they may be related to the land owners and may have been living behind a warehouse on the site to provide security, behind a shop premises.

The Mail reports the girl's father works as a mechanic there and she is the couple's only child.

A local farmer, speaking to the Mail, vouched for the dog's temperament saying: "The dog is an XL bully. It has been certified and is well looked after. It's a very big dog. I've seen it around the pub a few times, it doesn't bother anyone or other dogs and is well-behaved.

"The mother ran out from the static caravan screaming 'my baby's dead.' Some people from the caravan site went over to help. She was obviously really distraught. The police got here very fast, there were two helicopters, ambulances turned up and an armed response unit. Someone put the dog in a car apparently."

On the family, he added: "They are really nice people. The girl is a really polite girl who always says please and thank you. She was a lovely little lass who you would see riding her bike around."

Another man who was in one of the nearby caravans was in a pub on the site. He told the Mail that the dead girl was "a really beautiful little girl and very intelligent for her age."

An official from the caravan site said Savannah was excited about her new dog.

"We knew they had an XL bully dog," they said. "We only knew Savannah because her mum had asked if she could play in the park and we said 'Of course she can'.

"Savannah 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.

"Savannah had said herself 'We have got a new pet'. Other children who played with Savannah in the yard said it was a family pet."

A static caravan had been placed in a field next to the Snooty Fox caravan park outside the village of East Heslerton during the summer. North Yorkshire Police were called to the incident at 4.15pm on Friday, but unfortunately, the girl's injuries were fatal, and she died at the scene.

A family member managed to secure the dog inside a car before the emergency services arrived. A member of the public assisted the family, and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended, subsequently calling the police.

The dog, believed to be a bully, was later seized by officers and taken to secure kennels, where it remains while its breed is being assessed as part of the investigation.

North Yorkshire Police stated: "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."

Tributes have poured in on social media for the young girl.

One woman posted on Facebook: "Such sad news. My heart goes out to the family. RIP."

Another said: "Rest peacefully young lady condolences to all concerned."

The child's death is the latest in a series of fatal dog attacks in England and Wales this year. Over the past 10 months, at least seven deaths have been reported of children and adults bitten or injured by dogs.

In February, it became a criminal offence to own an XL bully without a certificate. The Office for National Statistics reports that there were 30 deaths caused by dog attacks in 2023, more than double the total deaths recorded in 2022.

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