Dogs Maul Baby to Death in the UK

A UK family has had their baby mauled to death by the family dogs. The pets, a Staffordshire Pitbull Terrier and a Jack Russell, killed the baby at his grandparent's house.

Baby Jaden Joseph Mack, 3 months, was being cared for at his grandparent's home address while his parents had gone out for the night, as carried in a report by UK network Sky News.

The incident happened in the South Wales valley town of Ystrad Mynach.

A neighbor described the moment of horror when she heard screams by baby Jaden's grandmother, saying that she could hear shouts of: "The baby is dead! He is dead!"

The neighbor named as Ms Ogden said: "It seemed as if somebody was very distressed or being attacked. I came out and saw my neighbour and he knocked on the door and asked her to open the door.

"When the door opened, two dogs ran out. At the time I didn't realize what had happened so, rather than let the dogs get hurt, I picked up the Jack Russell and ushered the other one (Staffordshire bull terrier) off the road.

"The grandmother came out and she was screaming 'The baby is dead! He is dead!' There was no blood on the Jack Russell but with the black one (Staffordshire bull terrier) I couldn't tell."

Ms Ogden who ran to the aid of the baby and his grandparent's and told of the moments when she entered the house saying: "When I entered the room the baby was obviously dead. The baby had a severe injury to his neck and with that the police arrived."

Another local resident who was walking in the area coming home from a night out at the time of the incident told reporters: "It was just after 12pm and I heard the grandmother, she was more than crying - she was absolutely hysterical. The poor woman. It was terrible.

"I know one neighbour tried to give the baby the kiss of life so you can imagine what state he is in now."

Baby Jaden was taken to hospital in Merthyr Tydfil but was later confirmed as already dead on arrival.

A statement made by Sky News UK reporter David Bowden said that the circumstances looked like a "terrible accident."

"Everyone here is very shocked by what's happened," The reporter said.

"It looks at the moment as though this is some very terrible accident. Neighbors say the two dogs, which fed and took for walks, were actually quite placid."

Officers from Gwent Police were at the scene throughout the night and today investing the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.

Gwent Police Chief Inspector Jim Baker stated; "Although the exact cause of death has yet to be established, it is believed a Staffordshire bull terrier and a Jack Russell were responsible for the fatal injuries."

The spokeswoman said the baby was being looked after by a "family member" at the time of the incident.

It has been agreed by the family that both dogs will be put down by a vet.

Police say that a person is to be interviewed but no arrests have been made concerning the terrible accident.

This is a tragic event that underlines the views of many people in the UK and other countries that the 'Staffordshire Pitbull Terrier' should have become an outlawed dog a long ago. Along with certain other breed of dog that are bred purely to be killers.

No family who has children should be allowed to keep dangerous dogs. There is no argument that I have heard that makes for a good case on the matter. We hear all the time echoing from people who have these dangerous animals that the fault lies with the owner, or "my dog is so sweet it would not hurt anyone."

How could anyone know if it was the fault of the dog owner if there is no evidence that the dog has either been mistreated or trained to be vicious?

People purchase a dog in the first place to be part of the family, the question could be asked: 'Should any dog be left with a baby, toddler or any young child?"

All dogs have teeth and have it in them to bite.

So given the fact that even the tamest Poodle can bite, why do people continue to take the risk with dangerous dogs?

The simple fact of the matter is that it is only a matter of time before a dog's temperament snaps. Most dogs do this at some point in their lives, but some far worse than others with terrible consequences.

It is not the first time in the UK that a child has been killed by a Staffordshire Pitbull terrier. I remember living just outside a County called Merseyside in northern England, seeing reports and talking to people who had lived near to one such tragic event. It was back in January 2007, that a 5-year old child from the Lawrenson family in Liverpool was killed by a Staffordshire Pitbull Terrier.

The story at the time brought outrage from the public, who called for a change in the law and led UK police to crackdown on Pitbull owners who didn't have a dog license.

Source: Sky News UK