‘We don't normally get any trouble here’: First pictures from scene of fatal dog attack in Wakefield
"I just feel so sorry for the man who died."
A police cordon remains in place after a man died after being bitten by a dog over the weekend.
Officers are at the scene of the incident in Wakefield with a vehicle parked at the entrance to a nearby agricultural property on Blacker Lane near its junction with Denby Dale Road. A sign attached to the fence of the property warned of guard dogs.
Nearby, a police cordon remained across the old trainline footpath where the fatal incident unfolded.
The normally quiet route, which runs along a disused railway line through a wooded area, remained sealed off as detectives continued their investigation.
Police have not said whether the agricultural property or its guard-dog warning sign has any connection to the investigation.
Officers were called at 1.36pm on Saturday (August 15) following reports of an altercation between two men on the footpath, off Blacker Lane.
The confrontation had taken place a short time earlier and one of the men had been bitten by a dog.
The 55-year-old victim was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but died shortly after 7pm.
A second 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place causing injury. He remained in police custody today (August 17) as detectives continued questioning him.
The dog believed to have been involved was seized by officers, with West Yorkshire Police later confirming it was a German Shepherd. The animal is being held in kennels.
One dog-walker said: "We don't normally get any trouble here, it's very quiet. The path wear it happened is a well-trodden route, there's a lot of dog-walkers.
"I just feel so sorry for the man who died."
People posting on social media following the death said there had previously been concerns about dangerous dogs roaming loose in the area. One said they had recently avoided walking over a footbridge towards the nearby Navigation Inn because of a dog they believed was dangerous.
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses, including two women who stopped to help the injured man. Detective Chief Inspector Michael Cox said: "Sadly, a man has died and it is really important that we understand the circumstances of what has taken place.
"We know that two people, one named Sophie, stopped to assist the injured man and direct officers. We would urge these two women to come forward to help us with our ongoing enquiries into this tragic incident.
"The initial altercation has happened in an area used by walkers and we are urging anyone who has potentially seen or heard any part of the exchange between these two men to please make contact."
Those with information should call 101, quoting crime reference 13260465524.