Doubts over American Bulldogs as pets after baby girl mauled to death

Zumer Ahmed sustained horrific injuries after being set upon by the animal, called Game, at her home in Cotton Walk, Broadfield, Crawley, West Sussex, on April 17.

She was in the kitchen when the pet – six times her weight – entered the house from the back garden and started attacking her. Two workmen nearby were alerted and tried in vain to rescue her from its jaws but her injuries were too severe for her to survive.

Coroner Penelope Schofield said very little mention was made of the potential threat such dogs posed to young children.

She accepted she might face criticism from dog lovers and organisations for raising doubts over whether they should be kept in a young family environment but she said the case highlighted a "real risk" to young children.

"The little girl did not stand a chance," Ms Schofield said at the inquest at Horsham, West Sussex. "The dog was six times her weight. The dog, an American Bulldog, does not come under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

"Very little is mentioned, if anything, to the potential threat to children. But this case shows that there is a real risk to children."

Ms Schofield recorded a narrative verdict, stating that Zumer died "as a result of being savaged by an American Bulldog in her own home".