Man dies following dog attack in West Yorkshire
The suspect dog had only recently been returned to its owner, after being seized by police due to concerns it could have been a banned type.
A man who died following a dog attack in Yorkshire has been identified as 52-year-old David Ellam.
West Yorkshire Police say they believe the victim was out with his own dog, close to his home address in the Sheepridge area of Huddersfield, when the incident occurred on Monday (15 August).
Police officers called to the scene found a man with serious injuries. After receiving treatment from paramedics, he was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, where he later died from his injuries.
The victim's dog, a Yorkshire terrier, was also injured during the incident and received emergency veterinary care.
Members of the public had previously raised concerns about the suspect dog, resulting in a visit from a dog warden in June. The dog was subsequently seized by police due to suspicions it could be an illegal breed, but a screening deemed the dog not to be a prohibited type under the Dangerous Dogs Act. It was returned to its owner on 8 August.
Following the incident, the dog has been detained in kennels by police and a 29-year-old man, its owner, has been arrested and released on police bail pending further inquiries.
A referral is also being made to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
