10-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Attacked by Dog in Holiday Park

A 10-year-old boy at a holiday park was mauled to death by a dog early Saturday morning, police say.

Police responded to Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe, Cornwall, just before 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 13,  to reports of a boy in an “unresponsive” state after being attacked by a dog, the Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement.

Despite the efforts of emergency services, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Following this incident, searches were undertaken to locate the dog and its owner,” the Devon and Cornwall police said in a statement.

Officers launched a search for the dog, described as a “bulldog-type” breed.

Shortly after 8 a.m., police arrested a 28-year-old woman in Saltash on suspicions of manslaughter and of “having a dog dangerously out of control.”

Police were also able to locate the dog, which has since been transferred to kennels.

The 10-year-old boy’s family are aware of the incident and are being supported by the officers, police said.

Boy, 10, mauled to death by dog in holiday parkhttps://t.co/0dLrgkruVz pic.twitter.com/a6GcDMHhlc

— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) April 13, 2019

“Police have been here all morning and checking what was going on,” one witness told Mirror. “There are police stopping people going in and a static caravan has been sealed off.”

The witness added, “The park is effectively in lock down and we have heard there has been a fatality. It is so sad to hear a child is involved. Just awful.”

Meanwhile, Holiday Park manager Robert Ellwood said police hadn’t alerted him to any information about the incident.

“I arrived this morning and police were already on site,” he said, according to BBC. “Due to the amount of police we knew it would be something major but we have not been told anything.”

Boy, 10, dies after being attacked by dog in Cornwall https://t.co/vh7kjpRIQ9

— The Guardian (@guardian) April 13, 2019

Located near Looe on the south coast of Cornwall, Tencreek Holiday Park is “the number one choice for great value touring, camping and caravan holidays,” according to its website.

Councillor Armand Toms, the mayor of Looe, spoke about the tragedy.

“This latest tragedy is so sad for the family. Our thoughts are with them at this time,” he said, according to Mirror.

“This community will do whatever it can to help. It always has done and will in the future and I am speaking not as the town’s mayor but as someone born and bred here,” he added.

He also spoke about other child tragedies to hit the town.

BREAKING: Boy, 10, mauled to death by dog at holiday park. https://t.co/G56ZPiBL5L

— Metro (@MetroUK) April 13, 2019

“It’s very sad. We have been through a pretty tough time. Just last year Maisie Duncan, a 7-year-old girl, was killed when she was struck by a car which lost control in the snow and hit her as she played on the pavement,” he said.

“It’s been so sad because we have just had the anniversary of Maisie’s death and the court case that followed.”

He also went into the history of the holiday park.

“Tencreek holiday park has been there for many years. It is run by a guy who is connected to our music festival,” he said.

Boy, 10, dies in Looe holiday park dog attack https://t.co/KXAPY5G35s

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) April 13, 2019

“It is very well established and has probably been around for 40 years. Some local youngsters go up there to use the swimming pool in the winter and learn how to swim,” he said. “It is part of our community and has been for a long time.”

The fishing town of Looe is a well-known tourist location because of its sandy beaches. It is also home to the Shark Angling Club of Great Britain, according to Independent.

To get the most out of your next family holiday to Cornwall, we’ve put together a list of some of the best child-friendly restaurants that you and your children are sure to love: https://t.co/29XHC4wqr7 pic.twitter.com/3hgaN1Zqd3

— TencreekHoliday Park (@TencreekLooe) June 29, 2018