Fears canine which killed nine-month-old child was spooked by fireworks – as police probe if it was banned breed
A dog that savaged a nine-month-old baby to death could have been spooked by fireworks exploding outside, distressed neighbours have revealed, as police continue to investigate if the animal was a banned breed.
The infant, believed to be visiting family at a home in Gwent, South Wales at the time of the tragedy, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have seized the dog from the property, which is situated in the quiet village of Rogiet, to check if it is a banned XL Bully breed.
The neat two-bedroom house – recently sold after being put on the marked for £345,000 – was seen today under police guard.
Neighbours in the village, which has 2,000 residents, were shocked by the incident, which occurred just before 6pm on Sunday night – as fireworks ahead of Bonfire Night could be heard exploding in the night sky.
A neighbour said: ‘There were fireworks coming from around that way last night – they were horrendous.
‘You could hear dogs bark as well as the bangs – they could have set a dog off.’
Local resident Carolyn Knight, said the news was ‘heartbreaking’ – adding: ‘ I have mixed emotions because I am a dog lover. The dog might have been unsettled by fireworks in the area. I lost my granddaughter a couple of years ago, so I know how it feels.
A dog that savaged a nine-month-old baby to death in South Wales could have been spooked by fireworks exploding outside, distressed neighbours have revealed
Police have seized the dog from the property, which is situated in the quiet village of Rogiet, to check if it is a banned XL Bully breed
‘All residents are appalled, upset and distressed, it’s heartbreaking.’
Police officers attended with paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service – but the baby was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Gwent Police source said: ‘No arrests have been made.
‘Enquiries are ongoing to establish the breed of the dog.’
Marked police cars stayed outside the semi-detached house overnight.
A villager said: ‘This poor family have lost a child – something must be done. Someone must have known that dog was dangerous.’
Local councillor Peter Strong, Monmouthshire county councillor for the Rogiet ward, described the incident as ‘unbelievably awful’.
He said: ‘The village is in mourning today. There is a deep and profound sense of shock that such a thing should happen in the midst of our quiet community.
Police officers attended with paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service just after 6pm on Sunday – but the baby was pronounced dead at the scene
‘A baby is a deep source of joy and love and to lose a baby in these circumstances is just awful and we can’t even begin to imagine the sense of grief that the family are feeling this morning.
‘We’re a friendly community, we are blessed with many people who devote themselves to the care of those who live around them and I’m sure they will stand together today and I just appeal for people to be calm, to give the family the space that they need to grieve in peace.
‘I would like to thank the police and the other emergency services who attended the scene last night.
‘I’m sure they too are feeling that deep sense of grief and shock along with the rest of us.’
Katherine Close, trustee of the Rogiet Community Junction cafe, said: ‘The community is in shock, you never expect it.
‘It’s not often that we see a lot of emergency vehicles around, so when it does happen you know something serious has happened.
‘We’ve had a lot of mums and babies come through the cafe over the years. It’s just heartbreaking.’
Craig Owen, who lives in a neighbouring property, said: ‘We don’t really see [the family] much to be honest, they were just renovating for a time. It’s just awful.’
The neat two-bedroom house – recently sold after being put on the marked for £345,000 – was seen today under police guard
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: ‘It’s really sad, it’s emotional.
‘I’ve got a baby myself. I feel for the parents.’
The scene of the tragedy is a modernised semi detached house in the village. It has been sold recently with estate agents pictures showing a sleek and stylish make-over with long dog-friendly garden.
A Gwent Police spokesperson said: ‘The dog has been seized and removed from the property.’
Chief Superintendent John Davies said: ‘We understand that there will be concerns around this incident, but officers are on scene and will be making further enquiries as the investigation progresses.
‘If you have concerns or information then please do stop and talk with us.’
An eyewitness said the huge emergency services included at least a dozen police cars with flashing lights.
One said: ‘It is just terrible – this is a quiet village where this sort of thing doesn’t happen.’
A local resident said: ‘Whatever happened inside that house we know that a child is dead.
‘It is terrible for the family. They must be going through hell.’
Police have not disclosed the name of the child, details around who owned the dog or if it was kept at the property.
Anyone with information is asked to call us police on 101, quoting log reference 2500349915.
