Savannah Bentham was alone in the static caravan where she lived with her parents in the village of East Heslerton, in North Yorkshire, when she was attacked by the six-year-old family pet, Biggie
A devastated mum came home to discover her 10-year-old daughter had been fatally mauled by the family’s XL bully, which was “covered in blood”, a coroner’s court heard.
Savannah Bentham was by herself in the static caravan she shared with her parents in East Heslerton, North Yorkshire, when the six-year-old family pet, Biggie, launched the deadly attack, a police officer told the inquest on Tuesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Wilkinson explained to the hearing in Northallerton how Savannah’s mum, Tracey Bentham, had briefly stepped out to ask a family member to repair a faulty gas canister connection, only to return to the horrific discovery.
Mr Wilkinson said: “Savannah was in a foetal position in the address and the dog was present and covered in blood.”
The officer revealed that Savannah’s grandfather managed to secure the animal in a vehicle whilst desperate efforts were made to save the young girl’s life, including attempts by nearby business customers and later paramedics.
However, the inquest was told she tragically died at the scene from neck injuries.
Mr Wilkinson informed the court that there was no indication the dog had previously shown any signs of aggression, and the family had met all requirements relating to its exemption certificate under recent dangerous dogs laws.
He explained this included veterinary registration and proper microchipping, neutering, and the animal wore a muzzle when out in public.
The officer noted there was no legal obligation for the dog to be muzzled within the family home. Mr Wilkinson stated that Savannah’s father, Bradley, was at work during the incident on November 1, 2024, and the girl was at home with her mother as it was school holidays.
He explained that the family’s caravan was part of an industrial unit and Mrs Bentham had gone to find Savannah’s grandfather, Mark, who was elsewhere on the site, after she realised the heating gas cannister he had just installed was not working properly and Savannah wanted a shower.
Mr Wilkinson said: “At the time, Savannah was at home with Biggie, watching TV.”
He mentioned there had been nothing up to that point that was “any cause for concern” and the family described Biggie as a “lazy dog”.
He said: “When they returned back to the caravan they could see that Biggie had attacked Savannah and, consequently, the emergency services were called.”
When asked by North Yorkshire’s senior coroner Jon Heath whether there had been any problems with Biggie in the past in the caravan, Mr Wilkinson said: “It was entirely normal in terms of the dog being in the family home.
“There’s never been any incident in relation to the dog in the family home as far as the inquiry determined.”
When questioned by the coroner, the officer confirmed that there were no witnesses to the attack in the caravan.
He said a post-mortem examination on the dog found no “physical or pathological alterations” that would have caused a “burst of aggression”.
The officer revealed that the family had kept the dog for approximately four years, believing it to be around seven years old.
However, a veterinary pathologist estimated the dog’s age to be closer to six, according to court proceedings.
After an hour-long hearing, Mr Heath delivered a narrative verdict, stating that Savannah met her tragic end “as a consequence of injuries inflicted on her by the family dog”.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed last year that the dog, identified as an XL bully, was euthanised by a vet. The dog held a certificate of exemption under recent legislation banning the breed.
In a heart-wrenching statement released by North Yorkshire Police following the incident, the family expressed their grief: “We are utterly shocked and devastated by what happened to Savannah.”
They added, “We can’t believe we have lost our wonderful girl who we love so much.”
#Girl #mauled #death #bully #Biggie #caravan #mum #finds #dog #covered #blood
