A mother broke down in tears during a coroner’s hearing when she described discovering her 10-year-old child in a “foetal position” after their XL Bully dog carried out a fatal attack. Savannah Bentham was tragically killed by their family dog, named Biggie, while her mother sought help to fix the hot water in their static caravan. Upon returning with her daughter’s grandfather, Tracey Bentham found Savannah on the floor in a fetal position, with the dog covered in blood.
During the inquest, Coroner Jon Heath warned the parents that the proceedings would be distressing. Dr. Bolton, a pathologist, determined that Savannah’s cause of death was “neck injuries.” The incident took place at the family’s static caravan in Malton on November 1, 2024.
The family had owned the XL Bully dog, classified as a dangerous breed under new laws, for about four years without any prior issues. The dog, Biggie, was registered with the local vets, chipped, and castrated as required by law. Following a tragic incident in 2021, a campaign led to a ban on XL Bullies in public spaces in England and Wales.
On the day of the incident, Savannah was at home with her mother and the dog while her father was at work. The family was trying to fix a gas connection for hot water when the tragedy occurred. Despite efforts by nearby individuals to administer CPR and first aid, Savannah was pronounced dead at the scene. Biggie was euthanized four days later.
The coroner’s examination did not reveal any physical or pathological reasons for the dog’s aggression. The conclusion stated that Savannah died as a result of injuries inflicted by the XL Bully. The coroner extended his condolences to the family of Savannah.