A 10-year-old girl was mauled to death by her family's XL Bully dog after being left alone with the animal for a brief period, a coroner's court heard. Savannah Bentham died from neck injuries inflicted by the dog, named Biggie, at the family's caravan in East Heslerton, near Malton in North Yorkshire, on November 1, 2024.
Coroner Jon Heath recorded a narrative conclusion, stating: "Savannah Bentham was in her static caravan when she suffered injuries inflicted by the family dog, an XL Bully. Savannah died as a consequence of injuries inflicted on her by the family dog."
The tragedy unfolded when Savannah's mother Tracy went to find her grandfather Mark to fix a faulty gas canister. When the pair returned to the caravan, they discovered Savannah in the foetal position with Biggie covered in blood.
Mother's devastating discovery
Mark secured the dog in a vehicle before the family provided first aid to Savannah. Paramedics arrived at the scene, but Savannah was pronounced dead at 4.45pm.
The Daily Mail reports the attack occurred just a fortnight after Savannah's 10th birthday. According to the Yorkshire Post, the girl's parents attended the inquest via video link and were visibly emotional during the proceedings.
No warning signs found
The family had owned Biggie for four years and described him as "lazy" with a loving relationship with the household. The dog was fully compliant with XL Bully legislation, holding the necessary Certificate of Exemption and had been neutered as required.
Post-mortem examination of the dog revealed no evidence of physical provocation or anything that could have triggered the attack. The court heard that leaving Savannah alone with the dog was not unusual for the family.
Police investigation and community response
The Daily Mail reports that police investigated potential manslaughter charges but found no basis for prosecution. The dog was put down by a vet following the attack.
According to the Northern Echo, Savannah's school paid tribute to her as a "model student" who "came to school every day with a smile for everyone". The family released a statement saying: "We are utterly shocked and devastated by what happened to Savannah. We can't believe we have lost our wonderful girl, whom we love so much."
The family thanked the community for their support and asked for privacy while they grieve. The case highlights the unpredictable nature of such attacks, even when dogs are fully compliant with legal requirements and show no previous signs of aggression.
Sources used: "Yorkshire Post", "Northern Echo", "Daily Mail", "WalesOnline", "Bristol Post", "Mirror", "Independent"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
