A BOY mauled to death in a holiday caravan was left alone with the dog until 4am, it was claimed yesterday.

Frankie MacRitchie, nine, was savaged by a bulldog-cross in Looe, Cornwall.

12 Frankie and his mum Tawnie Willis pictured just hours before the attack

12 Sadie Totterdell was arrested 22 miles away in Plymouth Credit: Facebook

12 'Large bulldog-cross' Winston 'has a history of attacks' and was often muzzled just weeks before tragic death of boy, 9

Sources told The Sun the dog was often muzzled after being allegedly involved in four less-serious attacks — one a few weeks ago.

Police believe Frankie was left alone with the seven-year-old dog named Winston, who is owned by a family friend Sadie Totterdell, 28.

It was understood that Sadie and Frankie’s mum Tawnee Willis, 28, went for drinks with a male friend at a nearby caravan at Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe, Cornwall.

Sadie found the bloodbath scene when she returned to her caravan about 4am on Saturday, sources said.

Speaking at her home in Plymouth this afternoon, Sadie's mum Denise, 58, said her daughter has been left 'distraught'.

She said: "Sadie is not good at all. It is just tragic.

"It is still too raw we are all trying to still just process it, especially for the family as well.

"It is just so, so sad."

Sadie is not good at all. It is just tragic. Sadie Totterdell's mum Denise

Sadie, a nail technician, alerted single mum Tawnee, who was then heard shrieking: “The dog’s attacked my boy”.

A holidaymaker said he then saw the dog wandering without a lead.

The man, 38, said: “I thought it had a dark face. Now I realise his white fur was covered in blood.”

Police quizzed distraught Tawnee and Sadie — who was arrested 22 miles away in Plymouth with the dog.

Sadie was released under investigation by police probing possible offences of manslaughter and having a dog dangerously out of control.

The dog was taken to police kennels where its fate was being decided.



DAD'S TRIBUTE TO 'MY LITTLE MAN'

Frankie's dad Billy MacRitchie, who wasn't on the holiday, has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his son in which he said his 'world has shattered into a million pieces'.

A post, penned by his sister Danielle and posted on Billy's Facebook page, said: "I spoke to my brother today and he asked me to write a few words.

"My baby Frankie Gray MacRitchie, my whole world has shattered into a million pieces. Daddy is so lost without you little man I really don't know how I'm ever gonna live without you.

"This should never have happened I wish I could hold you and kiss you forever. You are my whole life and now your (sic) gone.

"Sleep tight my darling boy, my best friend my everything."

This should never have happened I wish I could hold you and kiss you forever. Frankie's dad Billy MacRitchie

During a televised live press conference, Mike West, Detective Superintendent from the D&C Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "We believe that Frankie was alone in a caravan with the dog as he was attacked, whilst that the adults that he was on holiday with, were in an adjacent unit.

"These two groups of people were all known to each other and all from the Plymouth area.

"The woman that we arrested in connection to this matter has been released under investigation and the dog remains in kennels."

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Henry Joce, of Tencreek Holiday Park, said: "It is with profound sadness that Tencreek Holiday Park management can confirm that emergency services were called to an incident in a static caravan just before 5am on Saturday April 13.

"Tragically, a 10-year-old child was pronounced deceased at the scene after being attacked by a dog present in the same caravan.

"Clearly our thoughts are very much with the family involved - they have our deepest sympathies."

12 Billy MacRitchie shared the tribute to his son Frankie on Facebook Credit: Facebook

12 Franke pictured with his mum Tawnee Willis. The pair were on holiday together when the attack took place

12 Dog owner Sadie Totterdell is said to be 'distraught' following the tragedy Credit: Facebook

12 Sadie pictured with a dog similar to the one involved in the attack Credit: Facebook

12 Relatives lay flowers at the scene in Looe, Cornwall Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

12 The family had been staying at Tencreek Holiday Park Credit: Wayne Perry - The Sun

12 Police were called after Frankie's body was found inside his family's caravan Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

12 Billy described his son as 'my entire world'

12 The nine-year-old was found dead inside the caravan Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

​Police name Frankie MacRitchie as the nine-year-old boy who tragically died when he was attacked by a dog at Tencreek Holiday Park