Police and paramedics were called to an address in Daventry, Northamptonshire at around 10.30pm on Friday night after receiving reports that the infant was being savaged by a dog.
Despite their efforts the girl could not be saved and the dog, thought to be the family’s pet Pit Bull Terrier, was destroyed at the scene.
Her grandmother, who was caring for her at the time, also suffered deep cuts to her hands and arms as she tried to wrestle the animal off.
Northamptonshire Police said they ‘cannot confirm the breed of dog’ at this stage but experts will carry out tests to determine exactly what kind of dog it was.
Today, the detective leading the investigation said: 'My officers are working hard to piece together the events that led to the tragic death of a six-month old child.
'We are supporting the family through what is an incredibly harrowing time.'
Previously, detective Sergeant Gary Bake said the family had veeb 'devastated' by the tragedy.
‘Incidents such as these are extremely rare in this country, but that will be of little comfort to the relatives of this tragically young victim. The family have requested that they be left to grieve at this difficult time.’
A spokesman from the force added that one of the major lines of inquiry by officers was to discover whether the destroyed animal was an illegally-held breed such as a Pit Bull terrier.
But they refused to comment on whether anyone was due to be arrested.
It is thought that the horrific tragedy took place in the family home. The girl's grandmother was babysitting her while her mother was out.
The family is understood to have owned two dogs, which neighbours say were pit bulls. One neighbour called them 'devil dogs' because they were always barking and fighting each other.
A couple that live on the same street say neighbours had reported the dogs to Daventry District Council on multiple occasions but nothing had been done.
The residents, who did not want to be named, said the dogs were walked with muzzles.
They added: 'The neighbours whose homes back on to the side of the house have been complaining to the district council and dog wardens since May. They have complained multiple times but nothing has been done. They were even recording sound levels.
'You could hear the dogs killing each other fighting non-stop in the house from 100ft away inside our house. They were screeching, growling and barking all the time. It was terrifying, they are known as the devil dogs.
'One of the ladies who complained said she was worried her two young children would be killed if they escaped. You see all the emergency services there and you really feel for the family. But at the end of the day if something had been done and the complaints were listened to then that little girl might still be alive.'
(Daily Mail - Oct 6, 2014)
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