Inquest Opens Into Death Of Baby Attacked By Dog

15 October 2014, 10:16 | Updated: 15 October 2014, 10:21

A coroner has said that a 6-month-old baby girl who was attacked by an illegal American Pitbull dog died from head wounds.

Molly-Mae Wotherspoon was attacked by the dog at her home in Daventry, Northants while her maternal grandmother looked after her on the night of Friday October 3.

The Northamptonshire Coroner Mrs Anne Pember opened an inquest into Molly-Mae's death at Northampton General Hospital. She said Molly-Mae's body was identified by her mother Claire Riley, aged 21, who lived with her daughter in a three bedroom house on Morning Star Road on the Timken estate in Daventry.

Molly-Mae was treated at the scene, but died at Northampton General Hospital from her injuries. She was being cared for by her maternal grandmother, who suffered bite injuries attempting to protect her. The dog was destroyed at the house by a vet.

Northamptonshire police said a post mortem showed the dog was an American Pitbull, a prohibited breed under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.

Mrs Pember said: "The public should be aware this breed of dog is classified under the Dangerous Dogs Act for a reason. It is a dangerous dog. The family have paid the ultimate price for owning such a dog - the death of their 6 month old daughter."

She adjourned the inquest until 11 February next year and released Molly-Mae's body.