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Famliy Dog Which Killed 10 Year Old Girl Was XL Bully Type

The dog which killed ten year old Savannah Bentham from the Malton area has been confirmed to be an XL Bully-type breed.

North Yorkshire police say the dog involved in the tragic incident has now been euthanised by a vet.

Detailed independent assessments carried out in the days since the incident confirmed it to be an XL Bully-type breed.

The dog had been with the family for four years and had a Certificate of Exemption under the new legislation which came into effect in February 2024.

It had also been neutered in line with the legislation.

North Yorkshire Police say:

"To aid the report for the Coroner, an autopsy is due to take place on the dog to help determine if there were any medical factors involved.

These findings will be outlined at the inquest into the death of Savannah Bentham in due course.

Our officers are continuing to support the family.

We again urge people not to speculate about the incident and to respect the family’s wish for privacy to grieve in peace."

It's also emerged that a formal complaint is being made by the family to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) after some media outlets published a photograph taken from a family member’s private social media account. The family is said to be "distraught by this gross intrusion into their grief".  

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