A MUM came home to find her daughter, 10, had been mauled to death by the family’s XL Bully, who was found “covered in blood”, an inquest heard.
Little was attacked by six-year-old Biggie inside their caravan near , last November.
Savannah Bentham was mauled to death by the family’s XL Bully
Police were called at around 4.15pm on November 1 after the youngster’s mother found her with catastrophic neck injuries.
A hero nearby tried to intervene and emergency services battled to save the girl, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 10-year-old had been happily playing on swings in a park nearby before the horror.
Police previously said that the primary school pupil had a “close, loving relationship” with the animal prior to the “out of character” attack.
North Yorkshire Coroner’s heard how Savannah’s mother, Tracey, had briefly left the caravan before tragedy struck.
When she returned, she found her daughter lying on the floor in the fetal position with the family pet “covered in blood”.
Giving evidence, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Wilkinson, of North Yorkshire Police, said Savannah’s father Bradley had gone to work, leaving her at home with her mother and Biggie.
He said: “During that period Savannah’s grandfather, Mark, had attended to the address with a new Calor gas canister for the heating.
“He connected that up and during the afternoon Savannah was going to have a shower.
“When they tried to use the hot water, it became apparent that the Calor gas hadn’t been connected correctly.
“Tracey went to find Mark, the grandfather, to come back to sort the connection to the Calor gas.
“At that time Savannah was at home with Biggie and they were watching television.
“There was nothing that caused any significant concern. The dog was described as a ‘lazy dog’.
“When they arrived back at the caravan they were met, and could see that, Biggie had attacked Savannah.”
The animal, which was later destroyed, had been living with the family for four years.
It had been spared from a ban on owning XL Bullies after Savannah’s parents secured an exemption certificate.
The dog had also been castrated and microchipped in line with the law changes restricting ownership of the deadly breed.
The inquest heard Biggie had displayed no previous behavioural problems and a post-mortem examination on the dog suggested no medical reason for the sudden “burst of aggression”.
Senior coroner Jon Heath said: “Biggie was not muzzled because it was a family home.
“Tracey left the caravan to get assistance with a gas bottle, leaving Savannah and Biggie in the caravan by themselves.
“Savannah was watching television at that time. Tracey returned to the caravan and found Savannah injured on the floor. Biggie had blood on him.”
The inquest heard how detectives investigated potential offences, including manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child.
However, no arrests or charges were brought.
DCI Wilkinson said the dog was “legitimately registered, as it has to be in law”.
Delivering a narrative conclusion, Mr Heath said: ” Savannah died as a consequence of injuries inflicted by the family dog, an XL Bully.
“That is my conclusion in this inquest.
“I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of Savannah.”
‘WE HAVE LOST OUR WONDERFUL GIRL’
In a statement released in the wake of her death, Savannah’s family said they were “utterly shocked and devastated”.
They added: “We can’t believe we have lost our wonderful girl who we love so much.
“We thank everyone for their support and kindness as we struggle to come to terms with our loss.
“We ask that our family’s privacy is respected while we grieve for Savannah.”
The headteacher of West Heslerton Church of England Primary School, Rachel Wells, said: “We have lost a little girl who was only 10 years old and who came to school every day with a smile for everyone and lots of lively chatter.
“Savannah was a model student who loved learning and was a friend to everyone.”
‘SHE WAS A DIAMOND’
At the time of the tragedy, a resident at a caravan park next to the mobile home told how he was left traumatised after hearing “piercing” screams from a woman.
Retired gardener Keith, 68, said: “I heard the screaming. ‘My baby, my baby, my baby, my baby’s dead’.
“It was a piercing scream. I’ll take it to my grave – it was so harrowing. It’ll haunt me until the day I day.
“I’ll never forget it. Those screams were horrendous.
“I knew straight away what must have happened – I told my wife ‘I think the dog’s killed the girl.”
Keith added: “They’re a lovely family. A nice, working family with a beautiful daughter and tragedy’s struck.
“She was just lovely. Every time you saw her – she’d be racing up and down on her bike, just happy and full of joy.
“The girl was in here all the time, playing. She was a sweet girl, absolutely polite.
“She was a happy, bubbly, intelligent 10-year-old girl. She was so bright.
“She was a diamond. She was a gem, that kid. Intelligent, full of conversation – she was just an angel.
“I’ve five daughters and I can’t imagine what the parents are going through.”
Savannah had been watching the TV when the dog turned on her 
