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Detectives are continuing to question an uncle of an 18-month-old girl who was killed by a dog in West Sussex.Officers were called to reports of a girl suffering head injuries at a property in Cotton Walk, Broadfield, Crawley just after midday on Saturday.
She was taken to East Surrey Hospital but died shortly after arrival.
Police are continuing to question the 32-year-old uncle, who owned the dog, on suspicion of manslaughter. The dog is set to be destroyed.
The girl, who lived at the property, was with her grandmother, mother and three-year-old sister when the attack happened in the kitchen.
Det Ch Insp Trevor Bowles said: "What happened next was truly horrific, as the dog picked up the child and attacked it in front of her family.
"Two workmen at a property nearby heard screaming and ran to the house to help.
"They were able to distract the animal, who dropped the baby from its jaws.
"One of them then pulled the child to safety before an ambulance was called."
A spokesman for Sussex Police said officers believe the dog is an American bulldog but that was yet to be confirmed by experts.
The dog was being securely held by Sussex Police and will be destroyed, he added.
Examination due
Police said the girl's uncle was not in the property at the time of the attack but arrived shortly afterwards and was arrested.
A post-mortem examination on the girl is due to be carried out and she has not yet been formally identified.
Forensics officers were seen going in and out of the house, outside which a female police officer stood guard.
Neighbour Connor Maugham, 60, said: "I've seen the dog around, it seemed very placid. I think it's a mastiff, a big dog. Apparently it happened in the kitchen.
He added: "The community is in shock. They are such a nice family, they always keep themselves to themselves. They have got about three children."This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
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