The incident occurred at Tencreek holiday park in Looe in the early hours of Saturday

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A 10-year-old boy has died after being attacked by a dog inside a caravan at a camping holiday park in Cornwall.

The boy, who has not been named, was found dead by police at the scene following the attack by the dog, described as a “bulldog-type breed”.

Devon and Cornwall police launched a search for the dog owner and her pet following the incident, arresting a woman in Saltash in south-east Cornwall just after 8am on Saturday, about a 30-minute drive away from the park.

Police said a 28-year-old woman was in custody in relation to the attack at the Tencreek holiday park in Looe, Cornwall, at about 5am on Saturday.

The woman is being held on suspicion of having a dog dangerously out of control and manslaughter. The dog was also found and has been transferred to kennels.

Tencreek holiday park confirmed that the child had been attacked inside the static caravan.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the 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 13 April.

“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.”

South Western ambulance service said paramedics were sent to the park at 04:42.

Holiday park manager Robert Ellwood said earlier that police had not given him any information about what had happened.

“I arrived this morning and police were already on site,” he said. “Due to the amount of police, we knew it would be something major but we have not been told anything.”