Three-year-old boy mauled to death by dog in Essex

A three-year-old child has been mauled to death by a dog in Halstead, Essex. The young boy, who has not yet been named by the authorities, was bitten by the animal in Parker Way at around 5.40pm yesterday.

He was rushed to hospital in an air ambulance but died from injuries sustained in the attack.

In a statement, East of England Ambulance Service said: "The service received a call yesterday at 5.40pm to reports of an incident in Halstead. Two rapid response vehicles, two ambulance officers, an ambulance crew and the EHAAT were sent.

"At the scene a young child was treated for life-threatening injuries before being air lifted to Addenbrookes Hospital. Sadly despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the child died and our thoughts are with the family involved at this time."

A 29-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the boy's death, while the dog has been taken into kennels.

It is believed the woman may be facing charges for having an animal that was dangerously out of control and injured a person. She is in police custody following her arrest.

Police have not commented on the circumstances under which the young boy was bitten.

In a separate incident, a teenager was bitten in the nearby city of Chelmsford last month, Essex Live reported, with the dog owner facing charges for having a dangerously out of control animal.