Mum screamed ‘my baby’s dead’ after horror XL Bully attack killed ‘lovely lass’

A mum is said have ran out of her house screaming to neighbours “my baby is dead, my baby is dead” after a horror XL Bully attack killed her “lovely little lass”.

A ten-year-old girl,  known only as Savannah, was discovered mauled to death by the family pet XL Bully dog by her mother. The child, had recently boasted to pals: “I have got a new pet – an XL Bully.”

The child had previously owned a bearded dragon lizard as a pet 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 had no idea anything was wrong until the girl’s mother mum emerged screaming from her home which is on an adjacent field.

The family had moved into the static caravan in a private yard over the summer.

It is understood 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.

Meanwhile a local farmer told the Mail the dog was previously well-behaved. They said: “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.”

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.”

A caravan site official said: “We knew they had an XL bully dog. 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 family pet.”

The static caravan arrived during the summer in a field next to the Snooty Fox caravan park outside the village of East Heslerton.

North Yorkshire Police were called at 4.15pm on Friday to the incident but the girl’s injuries were unsurvivable and she died at the scene.

A family member secured the dog inside a car before emergency services arrived.

A member of the public came to help the family and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended and then called police.

The bully was later seized by officers who took it to secure kennels where it remains, and it’s breed is being assessed as part of the investigation.

North Yorkshire Police said: “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 flooded in on social media for the youngster. 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 spate of fatal dog attacks in England and Wales this year.

At least seven deaths have been reported of children and adults bitten or injured by dogs over the past 10 months.

In February, it became a criminal offence to own an XL bully without a certificate.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 30 deaths caused by dog attacks in 2023, more than double the total deaths recorded in 2022.