A MUM has today appeared in court charged over a horror dog attack that killed her nine-year-old son.

Schoolboy Frankie Macritchie died from blood loss after being savaged by the bulldog-cross at a holiday park in Looe, Cornwall, last April.

4 Frankie and his mum Tawney Willis pictured just hours before the attack

His mum Tawney Willis, 31, today appeared at Truro Crown Court charged with neglecting a young person, causing unnecessary suffering or injury.

She did not formally enter a plea when she appeared via a telephone conference call with judge Simon Carr.

The dog's owner Sarah Totterdell, 29, last week appeared in court accused of a single charge of being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.

Her appearance also took place over the telephone due to coronavirus lockdown.

Frankie, from Plymouth, Devon, was alone in a caravan when he was savaged by bulldog-cross Winston.

The boy, who had been staying at the site with two adults, was declared dead at the scene.

The vicious seven-year-old animal was put to sleep on May 1 with both women charged last month.

Both Willis and Totterdell will next appear in court in person on June 9.

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

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.

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"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."

4 Sadie Totterdell (pictured), 29, is accused of allowing her dog to be “dangerously out of control” after the tragic death of nine-year-old Frankie Macritchie Credit: Wayne Perry - The Sun

4 Cops stand on guard outside the holiday park in Cornwall at the time of the attack Credit: SWNS:South West News Service