THE family of a nine-year-old boy mauled to death by a bulldog on a caravan holiday have said he was 'Mummy's Boy and Daddy's soldier' in an emotional tribute.
Frankie MacRitchie was found dead inside a caravan at Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe, Cornwall, at around 4am on Saturday.
He had been on holiday with his mum Tawnee Willis, 28, at the time of the tragedy.
Single mum Tawnee had gone out for drinks with pal and the dog's owner Sadie Totterdell, 28 – who was later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Frankie is believed to have been home alone with the dog and was discovered by Sadie when she returned home.
In a tribute released through police today, his family described him as a 'cheeky, happy boy'.
The statement said: "Frankie was a very happy cheeky boy. He had a very special heart and was a fighter from the minute he was born, he was Mummy's Boy and Daddy's soldier.
"Frankie loved playing on his Xbox, singing and dancing, and watching movies cuddled up with his mum and riding around in Dad's car with his cool shades on.
He had a very special heart and was a fighter from the minute he was born, he was Mummy's Boy and Daddy's soldier
"His Nanna and Grumps love him so very much and he was their little Frankie Doodle.
"He loved trampolining and feeding lambs with his cousins, eating chips on the seafront, and sleepovers at all his Aunties and Uncles houses.
"Our wonderful little Frankie will be so very missed by all of his family with every breath that we take.
"The Family of Frankie Gray Macritchie would also like to thank the medical staff, police, staff at Tencreek Holiday Park, and the kind caring people that came to Frankie's aid.
"We would now like to ask for some privacy to be able to grieve for the loss of our boy."
DOG OWNER ARRESTED
Sadie was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and having a dog dangerously out of control and the dog was taken to police kennels where its fate will be decided.
Speaking at the family home in Plymouth yesterday, Sadie's mum Denise, 58, said her daughter has been left 'distraught'.
She said: "Sadie is not good at all. It is just tragic.
"It is still too raw we are all trying to still just process it, especially for the family as well.
"It is just so, so sad."
Frankie's dad Billy MacRitchie, who wasn't on the holiday, yesterday a heartbreaking tribute to his son in which he said his 'world has shattered into a million pieces'.
A post, penned by his sister Danielle and posted on Billy's Facebook page, said: "I spoke to my brother today and he asked me to write a few words.
"My baby Frankie Gray MacRitchie, my whole world has shattered into a million pieces.
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Daddy is so lost without you little man I really don't know how I'm ever gonna live without you.
"This should never have happened I wish I could hold you and kiss you forever. You are my whole life and now your (sic) gone.
"Sleep tight my darling boy, my best friend my everything."
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