A young child has died after being attacked by a dog in the Christchurch suburb of Aranui yesterday.
According to police, emergency services were called to an address on Basingstoke Street at around 4.45pm following reports a child had sustained dog bite injuries.
A "young child" was found in a critical condition at the scene.
"Despite the immediate efforts of first responders and a member of the household, the child sadly died at the scene," Detective Senior Sergeant Dan Overend said.
Overend said the dog involved was known to the occupants of the address and lived there.
In an update this afternoon, police said the animal was removed from the address, and police were in contact with Council Animal Management.
Police remained at the scene last night as investigators carried out a scene examination.
The investigation continued into this morning, and police were speaking to the occupants of the home as well as providing them with support.
"Police extend their condolences to the child's family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time and ask that their privacy be respected."
Christchurch East MP Reuben Davidson told RNZ the incident was a tragedy for both the family and the wider community.
Local Burwood Ward councillor Kelly Barber told RNZ she hoped it would serve as a learning opportunity to prevent future incidents.
"It's a very sad situation, and my first thoughts were with the family and how devastated they must be at the loss of their child. I also hope there is something we can learn from the ongoing police investigation that reduces the likelihood of this ever happening again," she said.
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