Heartbreaking news from North Yorkshire—10-year-old Savannah Bentham tragically lost her life after an incident with the family’s XL bully dog, Biggie, while she was alone in their static caravan. A dreadful scene awaited her mum, Tracey, upon returning from a brief errand. Despite swift attempts to revive Savannah, she sadly succumbed to her injuries.
The family, who lovingly described Biggie as a “lazy dog”, never experienced aggression from him before. The dog had all necessary compliance under the dangerous dogs legislation: he was registered with a vet, neutered, chipped, and muzzled in public. At home, however, there was no requirement for Biggie to wear a muzzle.
Detective Chief Inspector Wilkinson shared that there was no history of aggression from the dog, and a post-mortem didn’t reveal any medical issues that might have caused Biggie to act out. The family, left in shock and disbelief, described Savannah as a “wonderful girl,” deeply mourned by all who knew her.
This tragic event highlights the complexity of owning certain breeds and the unforeseen risks. Our thoughts are with Savannah’s family during this incredibly difficult time.