A woman who was arrested after a nine-year-old boy was killed by a dog at a holiday park has been released under investigation.
Frankie Willis, nine, was found dead by police inside a static caravan following the dog attack at around 5am on a Saturday.
The 28-year-old woman, who has not been named, was detained on suspicion of having a dog dangerously out of control and manslaughter following the incident at Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe, Cornwall.
Frankie Willis, nine, and his mother Tawnee Willis in a photo posted only 20 hours ago with the caption ‘caravan life with my babes’
On Sunday, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed she was no longer being held in custody, and her ‘bulldog-type breed’ pet remained in kennels while officers continued their investigations.
Police also confirmed the boy, who has not been named, and his family were guests at the caravan park from the Plymouth area.
Following this incident, searches were undertaken to locate the dog and its owner. Police arrested a 28-year-old woman in Saltash just after 8am this morning in connection to this matter but have since released her. The dog was also located which has been transferred to kennels
Detectives launched a search for the owner of the dog after they left the site, and eventually arrested her in Saltash in south-east Cornwall around three hours later.
Tencreek Holiday Park spokesman Henry Joce said: ‘It is with profound sadness that Tencreek Holiday Park management can confirm that emergency services were called to an incident in a static caravan just before 5am on Saturday April 13.
Emergency services descended on Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe, Cornwall, just before 5am after a ten-year-old boy was mauled by a dog
‘Tragically, a 10-year-old child was pronounced deceased at the scene after being attacked by a dog present in the same caravan.
‘Clearly our thoughts are very much with the family involved – they have our deepest sympathies.
Ashleigh Toms, who inadvertently assisted the alleged owner of the dog which mauled to death a 10-year-old in the early hours of this morning at Tencreek Holiday Park
‘Tencreek Holiday Park staff are to be commended in the way they have dealt with a very distressing incident.
‘Tencreek Holiday Park management continues to help police with their inquiries.
‘The park will remain open offering normal service. Whilst the investigation is under way, no further statements will be made.’
A 28-year-old woman believed to be the dog’s owner was spotted shortly afterwards covered in blood. She claimed she had been attacked by her boyfriend and was pleading for help to leave the scene.
A woman accompanied by a dog was later arrested on a train on suspicion of manslaughter 15 miles away in Saltash near Plymouth.
The dog has since been transferred to kennels.
Officers were alerted to reports of an ‘unresponsive’ child who was pronounced dead at the scene
Police were called to Tencreek Holiday Park after reports of the attack, with paramedics dispatched shortly before 5am.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been staying in a static caravan at the site. Looe resident Ashleigh Toms, 19, left her home at 6am yesterday and saw both the dog and the woman covered with bloodstains.
The horrific attack allegedly by a ‘bulldog-type breed’
Ms Toms told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I asked what had happened.
‘She said she had been on a night out and had been attacked by her boyfriend who she said ‘went nuts’ at her.
‘She asked for my help and for money to get a taxi, saying she needed to go to Saltash.
‘I had no money but I said I would be happy to help her get the train, as I was getting it anyway.
‘I offered to come on the train with her and she thanked me a lot. She and the dog were covered in blood.’
Ms Toms said she consoled the woman and paid for her ticket for the 50-minute journey to Saltash.
Ms Toms boarded the train at the same time as the woman who she said ‘went straight to the toilet to clean herself up’.
Police were called to Tencreek Holiday Park after reports of the attack, with paramedics despatched shortly before 5am
She added: ‘The woman got very upset on the train and started crying her heart out.’
Miss Toms said she was shocked to learn of the arrest in Saltash and the tragedy that had happened earlier in the day.
Tencreek Holiday Park describes itself as ‘the number one choice for great-value touring, camping and caravan holidays near Looe and Polperro, on Cornwall’s stunning South Coast’.
Three hours later a 28-year-old woman was arrested in Salatash, 15 miles from the holiday park (pictured), and remains in police custody
Holidaymakers reported hearing screaming early yesterday morning and a spokesman for the park said: ‘Emergency services were called to an incident in a static caravan just before 5am.
‘Tragically, a ten-year-old child was pronounced deceased at the scene after being attacked by a dog present in the same caravan.
‘Our thoughts are very much with the family involved. They have our deepest sympathies.’
Emergency services descended on Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe, Cornwall, just before 5am after a ten-year-old boy was mauled by a dog
He said the park would ‘remain open offering normal service’.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘The boy’s next of kin are aware and are being supported by police officers. Following this incident, searches were undertaken to locate the dog and its owner.
‘Police arrested a 28-year-old woman in Saltash just after 8am. The dog has since been transferred to kennels. Inquiries continue into this incident.’