Dog Attack Essex: Dexter Neal, 3, Dies After Being Bitten By American Bulldog

A 29-year-old woman has been arrested

A three-year-old boy has died after being bitten by a dog in Halstead, Essex.

A 29-year-old woman has been arrested for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and injuring a person, Essex Police said. She remains in custody.

The child, who has been named as Dexter Neal, was airlifted to hospital in Cambridge but tragically died from his injuries. The incident occurred at 5.40pm on Thursday in Parker Way, a residential street.

Dexter Neal was killed in a dog attack in Halstead, Essex
Dexter Neal was killed in a dog attack in Halstead, Essex
Essex Police
Police have confirmed the breed of the dog has been identified as an American Bulldog (file picture)
Police have confirmed the breed of the dog has been identified as an American Bulldog (file picture)
aywan88 via Getty Images

The breed of the dog has been identified as an American Bulldog. The animal, which is not on the list of banned dogs, has been seized by police and placed in kennels.

Neighbour Phyllis Younger, 82, told the Halstead Gazette she heard screaming at around the time the attack took place.

“Now I know what the scream was, it is absolutely awful,” she said.

Police at the property in Halstead, Essex
Police at the property in Halstead, Essex
John Stillwell/PA Wire
The boy was airlifted to hospital where he later died
The boy was airlifted to hospital where he later died
John Stillwell/PA Wire

She added: “It was like someone in pain, definitely - agonising screams. It is terrible.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “Two rapid response vehicles, two ambulance officers, an ambulance crew and the EHAAT were sent.

“At the scene a young child was treated for life-threatening injuries before being air lifted to Addenbrookes Hospital.

A forensics officer examines evidence at the scene of the attack
A forensics officer examines evidence at the scene of the attack
John Stillwell/PA Wire

“Sadly despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the child died and our thoughts are with the family involved at this time.”

David Ellam was out walking with his Yorkshire terrier close to his home in Huddersfield on Monday when he was attacked by another dog. He later died in hospital.

The dog has been seized by police and is in kennels while the attack is investigated
The dog has been seized by police and is in kennels while the attack is investigated
John Stillwell/PA Wire

West Yorkshire Police said the animal had been seized by police following a visit by a dog warden in June, but had been returned to its owner on August 8 after it was determined that it was not a banned breed.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said it will launch an investigation into Monday’s attack.

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