A witness says the dog that mauled a newborn baby to death was strong enough to drag three police into the street.

The onlooker said police struggled to get the dog away from the scene after it savaged the 12-day-old tot, who died later in hospital from his injuries.

A 35-year-old man and a woman aged 27 have been arrested on suspicion of gross ­negligence manslaughter.

As floral tributes were pinned to the gates of the house where the baby was killed, Sally Hooley posted: “I drove by as the police were removing the dog.

“The dog was a big fluffy golden dog, it looked harmless at first glance. I couldn’t tell you the breed but three police officers were struggling to control it to get it into the dog van.

“The dog was strong enough to be dragging three officers into the road. It’s so, so sad.

It looked like a big fluffy harmless dog. At the end of the day the parents will never get over the loss of their child.

No one knows the facts yet apart from a beautiful baby has died.”

A neighbour added: “It’s just so ­devastating and it’s really hit home today.

“They’ve got three other children and she’s such a lovely mum.”

Louise Scott wrote: “Absolutely ­devastating. Two parent have just lost a child and three other children a brother in terrible circumstances. Sleep tight little man.”

Debbie Kitchen, who knows the mum, said: “She would not do anything to put any of her ­children at risk.

“RIP little man fly high with the angels.”

Neighbours also told how the mum suffered a tragedy 18 months ago when her partner passed away.

One said: “She was a brilliant mum but her whole life fell apart when he died.” Another added: “She had a tough life. I don’t know how she will get past this.”

The baby was attacked at a home in the ­Woodlands area of Doncaster on Sunday. South Yorkshire Police said: “Officers were called to an address around 3.30pm following reports that a dog had attacked a child.

“Emergency services discovered a 12-day-old baby boy had been bitten by a dog and suffered serious injuries.” The house yesterday stood empty and its curtains were drawn.