– Some of the most difficult and difficult you can experience – VG

– Losing a child is probably one of the most difficult and difficult things you can experience. This is a demanding situation for all parties. One must be extra careful when entering into such conversations. Let them get the time they need, says rector in Ringsaker municipality Gerd Th. Christensen to VG Sunday.

It is the day after the tragic dog attack in Brumunddal, there a child of one and a half years died after being attacked by two dogs. The child was visiting close family when the incident happened.

The rector and several colleagues are now ready to assist the relatives, if they so wish, in addition to an inter-municipal crisis team that has been deployed.

– I have not had contact with them directly yet. We assist when they are ready for it, and we have contact with the crisis team. Several priests in the area say that they are also ready to help, Christensen says.

– It is important that people show respect

The police were notified of the incident on Saturday at 12.12. A case has been opened and an investigation has been started to clarify the course of events. Forensic scientists have been on site and secured clues.

– How do you meet people who are in such a tragic situation?

– As a priest, you have met people in many situations – both in grief and joy. We must both listen and be part of the conversation on the relatives’ terms. It is a meeting first and foremost as a fellow human being. Trying to be present for them in the tragic situation is one of the most important things, Christensen says.

The rector says it will be important for the local community to show up if the family expresses that they want it, and that one does not shy away.

– It also becomes important that people show respect, and do not go out on social media and speculate in such an event. Because there are many here who must be taken care of.

Christensen has so far not experienced that the local population has needed to talk to her about the incident, and has had most contact with colleagues who have wanted to contribute. But she makes no secret of the fact that it is a demanding situation for the municipality.

– It is clear that it is demanding to deal with. It is something that affects so many. Even those who have not lost, because everyone is afraid of losing, and especially a child.

Mayor: – A little in shock everyone

Mayor of Ringsaker municipality Anita Ihle Steen says on Sunday that people show compassion in the way they can, by, among other things, keeping their distance.

– We are probably a bit in shock all together.

The mayor says that there were some comments and speculations on social media on Saturday night, but that this has calmed down.

– There is always something, but there is a lot of compassion and red hearts around on social media now.

Ihle Steen says that the best thing they can do now is to be present when the relatives need it.

– They must find their balance in what has happened, and then the municipality assists with whatever they want and need. Caring is perhaps the most important thing no matter what it is. And in situations like this, it’s perhaps more important than ever.

On Saturday night, the police informed VG that the dogs had been killed.

– Both dogs were killed this afternoon, said police attorney Maria Husebye Fossen around 7.20 pm.

The police confirm that the child was visiting close relatives, and that there were others at the scene, but will not comment on whether there were eyewitnesses to the incident.

Several witnesses were questioned on Saturday night.

For the time being, the police will not say anything about the family relationship, nor do they want to comment on the breed and size of the dogs that attacked the child.

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