Police wanted to destroy XL Bully that savaged baby year before attack

Police wanted to destroy an XL Bully which savaged a baby a year before the attack but its owner refused to hand the dog over.

An XL Bully named Hunter 'just snapped' yesterday in a vicious attack as it targeted an eight-month-old girl, relatives have revealed.

Two people have since been arrested in connection after emergency crews were called on Wednesday afternoon to reports that a baby had been bitten by a dog in Hawkinge near Folkestone in Kent.

Police, paramedics and an air ambulance were sent to the street where the eight-month-old baby was airlifted to a specialist London hospital to receive medical care.

Now, it has been revealed that Kent Police seized the same XL Bully in Hawkinge in November 2023 following a report that its owner had been bitten on the finger, causing a minor injury.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: 'The owner was asked to voluntarily surrender the dog to officers for destruction, but declined to do so. 

'There were no legal grounds for officers to retain the dog in the circumstances, but the owner was asked to agree to accept the conditions of a police order which included keeping the dog secure and supervised.'

Following the attack, the tot's great aunt Stephanie Coombs, 33, said she is in a stable condition in the intensive care unit but it has been 'touch and go'. 

Family members revealed that the baby lived with her 17-year-old mother, the mother's 18-year-old brother and their grandmother at the address. 

Ms Coombs added that the baby's mother had grabbed hold of the dog in a bid to get it off the baby and broke a finger in the process. 

After being informed by her relatives what happened, she said the dog, an XL Bully named Hunter, was euthanised.

Today, the three bedroom house where the attack happened was taped off by police as a uniformed officer stood guard outside the property while a police van was also parked on the driveway.

'I don't know what happened but the dog just snapped,' she said.

'[Her] mum got hold of the dog and got her off the baby. 

'As soon as it did it the dog seemed to realise what it had done and the boy told it to get upstairs.

'Hunter the dog and the baby got on so well. It's so out of character for the dog.

'It was so soppy. We used to think he was like Scooby Do! They used to get in the travel cot together. He would sniff the baby and wander off.'

She added: 'It's absolutely shocking. You don't expect this to happen to family.

'That baby is her mum's World. She's up with her at the hospital by her bedside. It was touch and go. We just hope she's ok. It's such an upsetting situation.'

Police say two people - an 18-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman - have been held on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, with residents expressing concern over the safety of such dogs. 

A Kent Police spokesperson said: 'Kent Police was called at 2.23pm on Wednesday to a report that an infant had been bitten by a dog inside a property on Siskin Close, Hawkinge near Folkestone.

'Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and an eight month old girl was airlifted to a London hospital where she remains in a serious condition. 

'The dog was seized and destroyed. An 18-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. They remain in custody while enquiries continue.'

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Officers will remain in the area while enquiries are carried out and to provide reassurance to the local community.