Police make ‘avoid speculation’ plea as detectives quiz man over fatal dog attack in Wakefield
‘We are aware of some inaccurate discussion online about the person we have in custody’ ❌
Police investigating a fatal dog attack in Wakefield have urged people to ‘avoid speculation’ online.
Detectives are continuing to quiz a 55-year-old man in connection with the death today (August 17).
He was arrested on suspicion of murder and being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place causing injury over the weekend. A warrant of further detention has been authorised, West Yorkshire Police confirmed.
A cordon remained in place at the scene on the old trainline footpath off Blacker Lane in Wakefield this morning. The force was called at 1.36pm on Saturday (August 15) to reports of an altercation that had taken place a short time earlier during which a man had been bitten by a German Shepherd dog.
The injured man, who was 55, died in hospital on Saturday evening. Police are urging people to “avoid speculation” about those involved in the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Cox, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “The two people who stopped to assist and direct police have both come forward and given their accounts to us.
“I would like to thank them and others who have shared our appeal or come forward with information. We are aware of some inaccurate discussion online about the person we have in custody and would urge people to avoid speculation about those involved and what has taken place.
“If there is anyone else who was in the area at the time of this incident or anyone else who has information that could assist our enquiries, then I would ask them to please make contact with the investigation team.
“We are continuing to question the man who we have in custody, and our enquiries are continuing at a pace to understand the events leading up to this man’s death.
“We are also offering specialist support to the man’s family at this extremely distressing time.”
The dog which is understood to have been involved in this incident has been seized and is being held by police.
Speaking to SWNS, 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.
Those with information should call 101, quoting crime reference 13260465524.