Police have said that the dog that mauled an 18-month-old girl to death was not an illegal breed.

The girl's uncle, who owned the dog, Urfan Ahmed, is still in custody in connection with the horrific attack on the toddler yesterday afternoon.

The dog, though to be a legal American bulldog attacked the baby in front of her mother Saira Ahmed and other family members at their home in Cotton Walk, Broadfield, Crawley.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "It is now thought that the dog is an American Bulldog, although this is subject to confirmation by experts; this is not a breed to be banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

"It is currently being held by Sussex Police and will be destroyed."

Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles, who is leading the enquiry, said: "The little girl was in the kitchen with her grandmother, mother and three year old sister when the dog entered the house from the garden.

"What happened next was truly horrific, as the dog picked up the child and attacked it in front of her family.

"Two workmen at a property nearby heard screaming and ran to the house to help. They were able to distract the animal, who dropped the baby from its jaws. One of them then pulled the child to safety before an ambulance was called.

"Officers have been working through the night to build up a picture of what lead to this appalling tragedy. Our enquiries our actively continuing and a suspect remains in custody.

The man currently in custody was not in the property at the time of the attack but arrived shortly afterwards, at which point he was arrested.

He also lives at the address and is the owner of the Bulldog.

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