Armed police descended on a quiet Yorkshire street on Thursday after a child was mauled to death by a dog.
Police were called to a property on Hardale Grove, Dormanstown, Redcar, shortly after 1.30pm.
Eyewitnesses described a standoff between 10 armed officers and the dog.
Police were called following concerns for a child, who died as Cleveland Police arrived to the property.
The child is believed to have died as a result of a dog bite, the force said.
Residents of the cul-de-sac said they were in shock as they described the scene.
One resident, who lives on the street with his daughter and grandchildren, told The Northern Echo: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking, I cannot believe it.
“You never expect anything so horrific to happen in your area.”
Hardale Grove, where one dog was destroyed and another recovered by police
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Armed officers attended the scene, killing one dog and recovering a second.
The man, describing the scene, said: “Police swarmed the street around 1.30pm, I think, and there was a proper standoff with the dogs and then one was shot dead.
“I cannot imagine what that family are going through.”
One woman said there were around 10 armed officers at the “standoff”.
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PICTURED: Cleveland Police HQ. Eyewitnesses said around 10 armed officers from the force were engaged in a ‘standoff’ with the dogs
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She said: “There were around 10 armed policemen and so many cars and vans.
“I think everyone just went straight inside because the dogs had got out and were running all over the police having a proper stand off.”
Another woman said the incident was “surreal”.
She said: “I am in utter shock – it was just surreal, all of it. I hope everyone involved is okay, it is such a tragic incident.”
A man, who lives on a nearby road, said “kids were everywhere” during the incident, adding that it sounded “horrendous”.
Emily Harrison, the District Commander for Redcar and Cleveland said: “Understandably this is a distressing and tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the child’s family.
“There is a scene in place at the address while an investigation into the child’s death begins.
“I would encourage anyone who has concerns or information to please speak to an officer.”
Those with information are encouraged to contact Cleveland Police on 101 or by visiting their website and quoting reference number 066204.