Police have confirmed that a baby girl has died after being attacked by her family’s pet dog in Coventry. The seven-month-old was bitten on the head and rushed to hospital on Sunday but later died. The dog was not considered to be a dangerous breed, and was removed from the house and put down. Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the West Midlands Ambulance Service were called, and the local police force has appealed for anyone who might have information about the attack to contact them. No details of the breed of the dog have been released, and police said that enquiries are still at an early stage.
It is illegal in the UK to own certain breeds of dog, including Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro, without a certificate of exemption. In February of this year, XL Bully dogs were also banned in England and Wales for their role in a number of fatal attacks. However, it must be emphasised that the dog concerned in this incident was not of a breed that falls into any of these categories.
The attack has starkly highlighted the unpredictable nature of dogs, even those belonging to families. It serves as a reminder of how important it is for dog owners to be aware of the risks associated with dogs. In particular, parents with young children need to take extra precautions, help their children to understand and respect dogs’ boundaries, and never leave their children unsupervised around dogs.
The tragic loss of a young life is always a matter of profound sadness. The family of the young girl are undoubtedly struggling to come to terms with their loss, and will be in the thoughts and prayers of their neighbours and community. The loss will be felt keenly across the country as people reflect on the tragic nature of the event, the fragility of life, and the need to take greater care to protect those around us
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