Folkestone XL Bully attack: Police 'previously asked to destroy dog' that attacked 8-month-old

A woman, 76, and a man, 18, were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog out of control in Hawkinge, Kent, after an eight-month-old girl was attacked on Wednesday

Police asked to destroy the dog that mauled an eight-month-old girl on Wednesday around one year ago, it has emerged.

Emergency services rushed to the scene in Siskin Close, Hawkinge near Folkestone, Kent, following reports a toddler had been attacked by a dog, thought to be an XL Bully. The youngster was airlifted to Kings College Hospital in south London. Police said in an update today that the infant remains in hospital in a serious condition.

Kent Police arrested an 18-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

In November 2023, Kent Police seized the dog from Siskin Close following a report that its owner had been bitten on the finger, the force has now revealed.

The force said: "Kent Police seized an XL Bully dog from Siskin Close in Hawkinge in November 2023 following a report that its owner had been bitten on the finger which caused minor injury.

"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."

A Kent Police spokesperson said on Thursday: "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."