Dog maul death: Week-old boy killed by family pet...
 

A week-old boy has died after being bitten by his family's pet dog in Shropshire.

Harry Harper died in hospital after emergency crews were called to what is believed to be his grandparents' house in Ketley on Tuesday morning.

West Mercia Police said the incident appeared to be "a tragic accident" and the Jack Russell had been destroyed.

A statement from Harry's family said there were "no words to describe the loss we have suffered".

They said they were "absolutely devastated" and asked to be "left in peace to grieve and deal with our loss".

Emergency crews were called to a semi-detached house, thought to belong to Harry's grandparents Gordon and Teresa Bell, in Woodside Road just before 08:00 GMT.

The baby was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford but died soon after, police said.

Det Ch Insp Neil Jamieson said: "The dog in question was a family pet, a Jack Russell, and this animal has been put down.

"Our investigation is ongoing but it appears that the baby died as a result of a dog bite.

"A post-mortem will be taking place to establish the exact cause of this baby's death but at this stage it does appear to be a tragic accident."

He said the family involved "are devastated by their loss" and that "all our thoughts are with the family of the baby at this extremely sad time".

Neighbour Ingrid Finch said: "It's just horror - shock and horror really.

"I feel desperately sorry for everybody concerned and everyone else ...We are quite a tight-knit community and everybody knows everybody else and we've all lived here a long time.

"We are absolutely horrified."


RIP:(.

This is just horrific! People take the piss out of my attitude towards dogs but I don't care. Dogs CAN be dangerous and imo babies should not be any where near dogs especially little nippers like Jack Russells!

That's so sad :( I agree Lee, I have dogs myself, who I'm pretty sure would never bite a person, I still wouldn't leave a baby alone with them.

I love dogs, I really do... but what the hell are people thinking leaving a baby in a position where a dog - any dog - can get at it. How many more tragic stories like this are we going to read? I'm sorry for their loss, but whoever left the child with the dog is a *******wit.

Lee, I am in total agreement. Obviously, don't want to condemn anyone in this story as we don't know how or what has happened as it is such a horrific tragedy but I agree dogs and babies should always be kept separate, no matter how loyal a pet you can never tell how they will react to a new born baby. I have always had dogs who I would trust with MY life but not with a baby - especially one so young.

RIP Harry and thoughts go out to the family, I don't know how I would cope.

Some dogs do seem to get jealous of babies and children, whilst others fiercly loyal.. it is a total tragedy.

poor kid

Yes sad accident.

This is not far away from me,it's the talk of the day,it's truly awful,how many times do people need to be told to be careful of children/babies around dogs?:nono:

Absolutely tragic :sad:

Children should not be left with dogs under any circumstances.
My dog is the most soppiest, loving dog there is but I would never leave her alone with a child.

My dog actually hates children. She shakes when she's around children. I don't think she understands what they are.

This is a tragic loss.

A preventable one sadly

:sad:

So sad :(
People who argue that dogs are harmless need a ****ing slap

Can people finally admit and come to realise that dogs are not human beings. Jeez. Comeon people, This is happening too often now young children getting mauled and killed. I don't care how friendly a dog is, this could happen anytime, to anyone, learned this when I was young when our beloved pet chewed off my sisters friend calve like a damn watermelon. Just stop this nonsense, dogs are not human!!:bawling: I have a feeling dogs will be branded mens worst enemies soon.

It's people who are dangerous ,they have been warned endlessly but still they think they know better and unfortunately they dont,what a shame peoples know it all attitude has resulted in a poor baby dying and a family pet.

What do you mean by this? What have they been warned about and what do you propose the right a decorum is re:dogs?

Btw, people have no sympathy for humans nowadays. I read articles where a man has been eaten by a lion people are like "well he should have known better than to do this or that" what have we become!:bawling:

People KNOW not to leave dogs around children and babies,or at least they SHOULD know,but they still continue to do it,so imo,it is people who need to heed the warnings instead of thinking it wont happen to them!! that is what I mean by that.WE are supposed to be the higher level of intelligence,so why on earth would someone put themselves in the path of a lion?it is a wild animal,but once again we think we can do this and get away with it.i have every sympathy for human beings but lets face it some of them are just complete morons!!!! This little baby was ONE week old,and was killed by one bite from the dog,so my guess is the baby moved or cried and the dog got scared and bit him,what idiots to leave a baby so young with the dog.

don't leave dogs with kids

People know this ,so why do you think they continue to do it?

Exactly:xyxwave:

This dog shouldn't have been put down, as is the case for most "dangerous dogs". All dogs have the potential to be dangerous. They need to be properly handled and why this dog was near a baby is the real question here. It can't have jumped up high to grab the baby like a large dog as its a jack russell. Its a shame a baby has died but its also a shame a dog has been put to sleep.

yeah did not think so to

Doesn't sound like the baby was attacked,maybe the little baby got bit in a vunerable place like an artery or something,the dog may even have been playing,such a tragedy all round.

Proof totally that all dogs will and can bite and attack in certain circumstances,just as Cats will too, I have heard of mnay babies faces being scratched by cats while in their prams and pushchairs.

This shows no matter the size or breed of Dog, they should not be left anywhere with Babies unattended.
My Dog has never gone for anyone,or bitten anyone but I am aware he could and would if he was frightened or felt he or I was threatened.
It is why I always when out with him, keep him on a harness and lead and never let Children stroke him,I always ask the adults to make sure their Children don't come up to him.

He actually adores Children but as kazanne and others have indicated above,prevention is better than cure, no Dog should be alone with a Baby,no matter how long it may have been a pet.
This is a very sad story with a heavy price being paid for carelessness and possibly negligence too.

I have two dogs myself Joey and they are as soppy as they come,but I would never ever leave them with the kids unattended aside from the obvious dangers i wouldn't want the kids to be pulling them about or the dogs licking the kids faces etc,the kids play happily with the dogs when we are there,i just wish people would use their common sense and just to add,I agree
cats can do some damage aswell.