UNITED KINGDOM: British press coverage is dominated by reports of a 14-year-old girl killed by a pack of dogs, as police brief media near the house in which she died

Record ID: 353815

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: British press coverage is dominated by reports of a 14-year-old girl killed by a pack of dogs, as police brief media near the house in which she died
  • Date: 27th March 2013
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 27, 2013) (REUTERS) BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DESCRIBING DOG ATTACK ON 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL, READING (English): "JADE TRIED TO EAT HER MEAT PIE... THE DOGS ALL WENT FOR HER."
  • Embargoed: 11th April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Crime
  • Reuters ID: LVA6WZL5B8W3YPWR68WZCI973LV6
  • Story Text: Police in England said attending a scene where a 14-year-old girl had been mauled to death by a pack of dogs was "extremely difficult", as the story dominated newspaper coverage in the UK.
    Jade Anderson was attacked by four dogs at her friend's house, after being left alone with them.
    Police officers called to the address were confronted with four dogs, believed to be two bull mastiffs and two Staffordshire bull terriers, which were shot by marksman, while a fifth dog was contained.
    Speaking to news crews near the house, a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police, Superintendent Mark Kenny, described what happened after police were called to the address.

    "What transpired following our attendance can only be described as a very tragic scene, where we found a young girl called Jade who was deceased," he said.

    "And when I say it was tragic, that really is an understatement. Our thoughts are now clearly with the family for Jade and we're working to support the family," he added.
    Kenny said the concern was initially for Anderson inside the house, however officers were also wary of letting the dogs escape.

    "The officers who attended, they acted very professionally. They were met by a very difficult scenario. The officers obviously were confronted by four dogs that were obviously dangerous," he said.

    "The officers used shields to make sure those dogs didn't escape and go into the community; also to make sure the dogs were contained so we could medical assistance to Jade but unfortunately obviously it was too late at that stage," he added.

    "But they did absolutely what they could and paramedics and so on could get into the address as well and to obviously examine Jade. But it was a very difficult, extremely difficult situation and I can't stress that more at that time," Kenny said.
    Flowers and teddy bears were left outside the property in Greater Manchester where Anderson's body was found on Tuesday (March 26).
    British politicians are looking at possible statutory amendments to the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act which currently distinguishes between attacks that take place on public land and those that occur on private property, which do not attract the same criminal sanctions.
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