Uncle arrested after dog attacks and kills 18-month-old girl

The arrested man is the little girl's uncle, according to the police.

They were called to a house in Crawley, West Sussex, shortly after midday, following reports that the child had suffered head injuries in the attack and was unconscious.

The girl was rushed to East Surrey Hospital, in Redhill, Surrey, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, according to a Sussex Police spokesman.

Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles said: "It is very early in the investigation, but we are trying to establish how this tragedy occurred.

"The dog is being securely held by Sussex Police."

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he believed the man involved owned two dogs and was often seen walking them in the area.

He said: "The bloke himself is absolutely spot-on. The dogs are well looked after; I don't know what type they are, all I know is that they are big.

"I am surprised this is what has happened. My little one strokes his dogs," the neighbour added.

"He's not one of those guys who has a dog because it's a status symbol. He loves his dogs and he walks them miles. The dogs are walked every day."

He said: "The guy is lovely, he's not a guy who has got dogs because it makes him feel 'Mr Man'."

The arrested man, aged 32, is the uncle of the victim who was 18 months old, according to police.

The girl was at the address where she lives with her grandmother, her mother and her three-year-old sister when the incident happened.

The uncle was not at the property when the attack happened, but was arrested when he arrived shortly afterwards, a Sussex Police spokeswoman said.