A man died in hospital after being bitten by a dog on a footpath in West Yorkshire, police said. An investigation has been launched into the death of a 55-year-old man following a reported altercation in the Calder Grove area of Wakefield yesterday afternoon, West Yorkshire Police said.
Police received calls from 1.36pm reporting “an altercation that had taken place a short time earlier on the old trainline footpath off Blacker Lane during which a man had been bitten by a dog”, the force said in a statement released on Sunday. The 55-year-old man was taken to hospital in a critical condition, and sadly died shortly after 7pm on August 15.
A 55-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place causing injury, the force added in their statement. The man is currently in custody.
Police also said a dog “understood to have been the one involved in this incident” has been seized by officers.
The man’s death is being investigated by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, West Yorkshire Police said, and detectives are making an appeal for any witnesses to come forward, particularly two people who stopped to assist the injured man.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Cox, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, 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.”
Anyone with information can contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13260465524.
Information can also be passed to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111 or online.