A mother broke down in tears during a coroner’s hearing when she described finding her 10-year-old child in a fetal position after their XL Bully dog launched a fatal attack. Savannah Bentham tragically lost her life to their family dog while her mother sought assistance to fix the hot water in their static caravan. The heartbreaking incident unfolded when Savannah’s grandfather was called to address a gas connection issue, only to return with her mother to discover the devastating scene.
During the inquest, the coroner forewarned the parents that the proceedings would be distressing, but the emotional toll was beyond preparation. The cause of Savannah’s death was identified as “neck injuries” by Dr. Bolton, the pathologist. Testifying in court, DCI Matthew Wilkinson detailed the events of the tragedy that occurred in Malton on November 1, 2024, where the family-owned XL Bully dog had been peacefully living for four years before the fatal attack.
The XL Bully dog, named Biggie, was legally registered, chipped, and castrated, in compliance with the regulations for dangerous dogs. The law was amended in 2023 following a public campaign, spearheaded by the Mirror, to address the high incidence of fatalities involving XL Bullies. Owners are now mandated to register and muzzle these dogs in public spaces, with breeding and selling of the breed prohibited.
On the day of the incident, Savannah was at home with Biggie while her mother sought help with the gas connection, leaving them momentarily unattended. Upon their return, the family was met with a tragic sight of Biggie attacking Savannah, leading to her untimely demise despite resuscitation efforts. The coroner’s examination found no evidence of underlying physical or pathological issues in Biggie that could explain the sudden burst of aggression.
Concluding the inquest, the coroner determined that Savannah Bentham succumbed to injuries inflicted by the family’s XL Bully dog on that fateful day. Expressing condolences to the grieving family, the coroner acknowledged the tragic loss of Savannah.