Tributes to 'lovely little lass', 10, mauled to death by XL Bully dog she boasted to friends about getting

The 10-year-old girl, known only as Savannah, was discovered mauled to death by the family pet XL Bully dog by her mother, who had previously boasted to friends how she was caring for the dog

Tributes have been paid to a "lovely little lass" who has been horrifically mauled to death by an XL Bully dog that she had been thrilled to get, proudly boasting to friends about her new pet.

A mum was heard screaming to her neighbours "my baby is dead, my baby is dead" after finding her daughter killed in an attack by the family's XL Bully dog. The ten year old girl, known as Savannah and described as "beautiful and intelligent", was found mauled to death by the pet which she had recently acquired, proudly telling friends: "I have got a new pet - an XL Bully."

Previously, Savannah had cared for a bearded dragon lizard and was thrilled about having a dog.

A neighbour expressed their sorrow, saying: "It is just a horrible tragedy. She was such a sweet thing. I only know her because she would come in the park to play. Everybody is totally shocked and upset about it. The family have not lived here long. I have only met her. I have never met her mum and dad.

"She would come on the park and play on the swings and I would pass the time of day with her. She was a lovely little girl - really chatty. It is just so sad."

The incident left residents of the nearby holiday caravan park near Malton, North Yorkshire, in shock, unaware of any trouble until the girl's mother emerged from her home, which is situated on an adjacent field. The family had been living in a static caravan on private land since the summer, possibly related to the landowners, and were believed to be providing security behind a shop premises.

Time for action on Danger Dogs

The Mirror is calling for:

■ 1 The overhaul of the Dangerous Dogs Act. An urgent review of the law is needed and tougher penalties should be considered.

■ 2 Enforce the rules to stop the illegal and irresponsible breeding and selling of dogs.

■ 3 A public information campaign to promote the importance of responsible dog ownership and the need for training.

According to The Mail, the girl's father is a mechanic working at the site, and Savannah was their only child.

A local farmer has spoken to the Mail, saying: "The dog is an XL bully. It has been certified and is well looked after. It's a very big dog. I've seen it around the pub a few times, it doesn't bother anyone or other dogs and is well-behaved."

They gave a harrowing account of the aftermath, adding: "The mother ran out from the static caravan screaming 'my baby's dead.' Some people from the caravan site went over to help. She was obviously really distraught. The police got here very fast, there were two helicopters, ambulances turned up and an armed response unit. Someone put the dog in a car apparently."

The farmer added: "They are really nice people. The girl is a really polite girl who always says please and thank you. She was a lovely little lass who you would see riding her bike around."

Another witness, who was staying in one of the nearby caravans, had been in a pub on the site at the time of the horror.

He told the Mail: "The dead girl was a really beautiful little girl and very intelligent for her age."

An official from the caravan site also commented on the family and the dog, saying: "We knew they had an XL bully dog. We only knew Savannah because her mum had asked if she could play in the park and we said 'Of course she can'."

They recalled Savannah's excitement about the new pet: "Savannah told us she had a new dog. It was not that long ago. We used to come onto the park and play with the other children."

However, they noted some concerns: "I have never seen or heard the dog and I am here every day. There have been a couple of incidents when people had seen the dog come as far as the yard gate without any muzzle or lead on and that was a bit scary. Savannah had said herself 'We have got a new pet'. Other children who played with Savannah in the yard said it was a family pet."

The static caravan arrived during the summer in a field next to theSnooty Foxcaravan park outside the village of East Heslerton.

North Yorkshire Police were called to the incident at 4.15pm on Friday but sadly the girl's injuries were too severe and she died at the scene. They told reporters Savannah had a "close, loving relationship" with the dog, which will now be put down.

A family member managed to secure the dog in a car before emergency services arrived. The dog, believed to be a bully breed, was later seized by officers and taken to secure kennels where it remains while its breed is being assessed as part of the investigation.

Caravan site manager Samantha Robinson told the Mail that the family had moved there in the static caravan roughly four months ago and Savannah was "a lovely little girl, she asked permission to play on the swings in the park and we gave it," and that she had told her she had a new pet, the American XL Bully.

The girl had been seen playing on the swings in the play area of the adjoining caravan park the afternoon before the horror took place.

North Yorkshire Police said: "Our thoughts remain with the girl's family and friends at this very distressing time. Officers are supporting the family while inquiries continue. We also urge people not to speculate about the incident, respect the family's privacy and allow them to grieve in peace. We will provide more information when we are able to."

Tributes have flooded in on social media for the youngster, with one woman posting on Facebook: "Such sad news. My heart goes out to the family. RIP."

Another said: "Rest peacefully young lady condolences to all concerned."

The child's death is the latest in a spate of fatal dog attacks in England and Wales this year. Over the past 10 months, at least seven deaths have been reported of children and adults bitten or injured by dogs.

Since February, it has become a criminal offence to own an XL bully without a certificate. The Office for National Statistics reports that there were 30 deaths caused by dog attacks in 2023, more than double the total deaths recorded in 2022.