Lexi Hudson, 4, was playing with the ‘enormous’ French Mastiff-cross dog her mother rehomed from an animal charity weeks ago when it pounced on her.
Neighbours said her mother Jodi was forced to stab the animal in order to free her daughter as she was shaken ‘like a rag doll’.
The 30-year-old was then seen running into the street screaming and covered in blood moments after the lunchtime attack.
Neighbours said her mother Jodi was forced to stab the animal in order to free her daughter as she was shaken ‘like a rag doll’.
The 30-year-old was then seen running into the street screaming and covered in blood moments after the lunchtime attack.
Friends last night claimed the animal had suffered abuse at the hands of
a previous owner and may have been spooked by a firework exploding
nearby.
It is understood Lexi started at school in September, but had stayed at home in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, because she was ill.
Miss Hudson is thought to have been comforting Lexi in bed when the dog– believed to be called Moulin – attacked.
When it failed to release its grip she ran to grab a knife in a bid to stop the attack. The youngster was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham where she later died.
Family friend Paul Ryan said: "Lexi was always playing with it. It’s obviously a huge dog, and Lexi wouldn’t have stood a chance if it went for her – she’s such a small little girl."
He added: "I saw Jodi as they were taking Lexi away to hospital – she was in hysterics, and kept saying that she was told that the dog was safe around children."
Describing how the dog suddenly ‘went mental’ and attacked Lexi, he said: "Her mum was screaming and trying to pull the dog’s head away but it wouldn’t give in. She had to use a knife to release its jaw."
Arthur Nash, a 67-year-old retired driver, said: ‘I saw Jodi after it happened. She was stood in the car park covered in blood.
"Apparently she stabbed the dog to death. I held her hand for a little while but she was totally gone. She just wasn’t with it. She was in complete and utter shock."
Miss Hudson is thought to have worked at a law firm in Leicester before having a child.
Neighbours said she was estranged from Lexi’s father and ‘doted’ on her daughter, who had been born three months premature.
In April last year she joined a website where members can buy and sell dogs, using the username ‘Lexismommy’.
Residents said the ground-floor flat where Lexi died is owned by a housing association, which prohibits tenants from keeping dogs.
Officers said the animal, which died, was not thought to be a breed listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Leicestershire Police said nobody had been arrested in connection with the offence but an investigation continues.
It is understood Lexi started at school in September, but had stayed at home in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, because she was ill.
Miss Hudson is thought to have been comforting Lexi in bed when the dog– believed to be called Moulin – attacked.
When it failed to release its grip she ran to grab a knife in a bid to stop the attack. The youngster was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham where she later died.
Family friend Paul Ryan said: "Lexi was always playing with it. It’s obviously a huge dog, and Lexi wouldn’t have stood a chance if it went for her – she’s such a small little girl."
He added: "I saw Jodi as they were taking Lexi away to hospital – she was in hysterics, and kept saying that she was told that the dog was safe around children."
Describing how the dog suddenly ‘went mental’ and attacked Lexi, he said: "Her mum was screaming and trying to pull the dog’s head away but it wouldn’t give in. She had to use a knife to release its jaw."
Arthur Nash, a 67-year-old retired driver, said: ‘I saw Jodi after it happened. She was stood in the car park covered in blood.
"Apparently she stabbed the dog to death. I held her hand for a little while but she was totally gone. She just wasn’t with it. She was in complete and utter shock."
Miss Hudson is thought to have worked at a law firm in Leicester before having a child.
Neighbours said she was estranged from Lexi’s father and ‘doted’ on her daughter, who had been born three months premature.
In April last year she joined a website where members can buy and sell dogs, using the username ‘Lexismommy’.
Residents said the ground-floor flat where Lexi died is owned by a housing association, which prohibits tenants from keeping dogs.
Officers said the animal, which died, was not thought to be a breed listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Leicestershire Police said nobody had been arrested in connection with the offence but an investigation continues.
Dailymail
Awww soooo sad
ReplyDelete