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Man and woman arrested after 12-day-old baby mauled to death by dog

Flowers are left outside the house where the baby was mauled by a dog. (SWNS)
Flowers are left outside the house where the baby was mauled by a dog. (SWNS)

A man and woman have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a 12-day-old baby boy was mauled to death by a dog.

South Yorkshire Police said the youngster suffered serious injuries after being attacked by the dog, which police believe is a crossbreed, and died a short time later in hospital.

The man, 35, and woman, 27, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence after the incident in Doncaster on Sunday.

Both have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Aerial view of the house where the baby boy was mauled by a dog. (SWNS)
Aerial view of the house where the baby boy was mauled by a dog. (SWNS)

The dog has been removed from the address, police said.

Local Sally Hooley, who saw the dog being removed, told The Sun: “Police were struggling to get it into the dog van.

"It was strong enough to be dragging three officers into the road.”

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A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Police were called to an address on Welfare Road at around 3.30pm on Sunday following reports that a dog had attacked a child.

"On arrival at the property, emergency services discovered a 12-day-old baby boy had been bitten by a dog and suffered serious injuries.

South Yorkshire Police said the youngster suffered serious injuries after being attacked by the dog. (SWNS)
South Yorkshire Police said the youngster suffered serious injuries after being attacked by the dog. (SWNS)

"The child was taken to hospital, but sadly died a short time later.

"A 35-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. They have now been bailed while enquiries continue.”

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It is not yet known if the dog has been destroyed.