In a tragic turn of events, a community in Redcar is grappling with the devastating loss of a three-month-old baby girl following a suspected dog attack. Heartbroken neighbours have described the incident as “horrendous” and “absolutely devastating.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene on a quiet Thursday afternoon, only to find the baby tragically pronounced dead. A neighbour recounted the harrowing moment of hearing a woman’s desperate screams for help echoing down the street.
Eyewitnesses describe a dramatic scene with police, ambulances, armed officers, and the sound of a gunshot. Two dogs, reportedly of the “pocket bully” breed, were involved. One was fatally shot while the other was later put down. Cleveland Police confirmed neither dog was of a prohibited type.
Scarlett Calvert, a resident on the street, shared how she arrived home to discover the commotion. “I was right there when one of the dogs escaped, and police were telling everyone to take cover in cars or gardens,” she said. “It was terrifying and such a shock.”
The incident left the community shaken, with police cordons and crime scene officers present for hours. One resident shared how the tragedy left them in tears, saying, “It’s shook everyone up. I couldn’t stop crying last night.”
A 45-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog, leading to fatal injuries. He has since been released on conditional bail.
Cleveland Police is actively seeking information from anyone who might have seen what happened. If you have any details, please reach out by calling 101 or visiting their website, quoting reference number 066204. You can also share information anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
This heartbreaking event has left a lasting impact, reminding us all of the importance of safety and vigilance in our communities.