Molly-Mae Wotherspoon dog death: RSPCA concerns 'not acted upon' Published duration 20 October 2016

image copyright Northants Police image caption Claire Riley (l) and Susan Aucott (r) were each jailed for two years

Police failed to act on concerns raised about an illegal dog before it killed a baby girl, a report has found.

Six-month-old Molly-Mae Wotherspoon was fatally attacked by an American pit bull named Bruiser at a house in Daventry in October 2014.

Mother Claire Riley, 23, and grandmother Susan Aucott, 55, are currently in prison in connection with the death.

Northamptonshire Police said it had "overhauled" its dangerous dogs policy.

The serious case review highlighted a number of failings.

The report states Riley took Bruiser - one of two dogs in her home - to a vet in January 2014 when Riley was pregnant.

The vet voiced his concerns about the fact the animal was an illegal breed to the RSPCA, which made a referral to the police.

The report said the force failed to act on these concerns.

'Safeguarding training'

Det Supt Steve Lingley, head of safeguarding at Northamptonshire Police, welcome the report's findings on what he said was "a very challenging case on a number of levels".

"Within weeks of the tragedy," he said, "Northamptonshire Police had carried out a complete overhaul of its response policy to dangerous dogs."

Keith Makin, chairman of the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Board (NSCB), recommended "greater curiosity" about family pets amongst health workers.

He also called for "all police officers to be made aware through safeguarding training of the dangers which aggressive dogs pose to young children".

Molly-Mae: Timeline of events

image caption Six-month-old Molly-Mae Wotherspoon was attacked at a house in Morning Star Road, Daventry

3 October 2014: Six-month-old Molly-Mae Wotherspoon attacked by an American pit bull at mother's home

August 2015: Mother Claire Riley and grandmother Susan Aucott charged with being in control of a dangerously out-of-control dog, resulting in death

September 2015: Aucott appears at Northampton Magistrates' Court. Riley does not attend due to illness

December 2015: Aucott denies the charge against her at crown court

June 2016: Both defendants admit to the charges against them at crown court

July 2016: First attempt at sentencing adjourned due to Riley's pregnancy

26 August 2016: Sentencing adjourned as Riley is taken from court by ambulance after falling ill

15 September 2016: Pair sentenced to two years in prison, to serve half on licence

The report stated: "The dog was so fierce that a vet had earlier refused to examine it for an illness unless it was first fully sedated."

It also said that while Riley was "fully aware that her own mother had alcohol-related problems" she went out for evenings leaving her in "sole charge of the baby while the dogs were in the house".

The report concluded "although some poor practice has been highlighted" by the board's inquiries, there was nothing which suggested "any single professional could, or should, have prevented" Molly-Mae's death.