The owner of a devil dog that fatally mauled a two-month-old girl paid her devastated family the equivalent of just 400 GBP in compensation.

Pet caretaker Lek was unable to control her pit bull named Chao Big, 2, as the beast snatched tiny Kanyaphat Sali from her pram on Tuesday.

The hell hound was said to have mistaken the child for a toy, dragging her by the head 20 feet towards a drainage ditch near Lek's home in Udon Thani, Thailand.

The shocked resident managed to chase the dog off and rush the badly injured infant to the hospital, but Kanyaphat was later declared dead from the mauling that nearly tore off her ear.

The incident occurred while Kanyaphat's parents, Dusit Sali and Kantima Anantarak, 35, were collecting scrap from Lek's home. They said Chao Big had earlier been sniffing the infant, but Lek assured them the canine was tame shortly before it pounced.

Despite the horrific attack, Lek handed over just 17,000 Baht (around 392 GBP) to the grieving couple on Wednesday.

Police Major General Chairop Chunnawat, commander of Uthai Thani Provincial Police, said investigations into the attack were expected to conclude soon.

He said: ‘We have questioned the child's parents and the house owner, and have inspected the scene to gather evidence.

‘Before coming to the funeral, I also visited the scene this afternoon. The results of the investigation will likely be completed today as ordered, with charges filed for negligence causing death.

‘We have also contacted Uthai Thani Provincial Livestock Office, and we must wait to see if any further action will be taken on this matter.'

Kanyaphat's grandfather, Sanan Anantarak, 62, said he Lek previously invited him to collect scrap to sell from her house. On the day of the attack, the couple had decided to help him with the work, bringing their baby along.

Dozens of neighbours and relatives attended the infant's funeral, which was shouldered by Lek.

Kanyaphat's father Dusit said: 'I am grateful that many people came to grieve with us. The villagers were very kind to our family and they adored our two-month-old daughter. They would often come to play with her because she was so cute. I still can't accept what has happened. My little girl was my hope.'

He said additional compensation has not yet been discussed and he was waiting for Lek to start negotiations.

Local media reported Big remains under Lek's care pending the results of the investigation.

Thailand is notoriously unregulated over pets and there are no laws preventing people from keeping dangerous dogs. Despite numerous fatal pit bull attacks reported in the news, stubborn locals continue to keep the rabid animals as companions.

(1 GBP = 43.37 THB)