3-year-old boy in UK dies after being bitten by dog
An air ambulance was called to the scene and the boy was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
London: A three-year-old boy in the UK has died after he was bitten by a dog, becoming the second person to be killed this week in the country in a similar incident.
Police said the incident happened at a property in Halstead, Essex yesterday evening.
An air ambulance was called to the scene and the boy was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
Essex Police said a 29-year-old woman had been arrested for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control. The dog has been seized by police and placed in kennels.
Neighbour Phyllis Younger heard the boy's screams.
"I heard this screaming," she said. "I did not really associate it with anything terrible - it was like children having a bit of fun. But then I thought it might not be quite right.
"Then it was quiet. I looked out of the window and saw a police car and paramedics and neighbours looking along the road," the BBC quoted her as saying.
She said the family involved had not lived in the street for very long and "kept themselves to themselves". Shirley Diver, mayor of Halstead, said the incident was heartbreaking.
She said: "It's dreadful news, it really is. I've had dogs all my life and I don't think you can ever trust a dog 100 per cent with any child.
"It's so sad. I feel so sadly for the family who are involved. Words can't express how it affects anybody. The whole town is in shock."
Braintree MP James Cleverly was briefed about the incident by police.
He said: "I have got children of my own, and this is both shocking and heartbreaking. For any parent, this is the most terrible news.
"This will be an absolute body blow to everybody in the town."
On Monday, a 52-year-old man died in Sheepridge area in Huddersfield town after being attacked by a large dog, days after the pet was returned to its owner after it was previously seized by police over fears it was dangerous.
Following the incident, A 29-year-old man, who is the owner of the dog has been arrested and was later released on police bail pending further enquiries.