UK & World News
- 22 November 2012, 3:24
'Devastating' Loss Of Baby Boy Bitten By Dog
The family of a baby boy who died after being bitten by a dog in Shropshire say they have been left "absolutely devastated" by the infant's death.
Harry Harper died in hospital on Tuesday morning after paramedics were called out to a house in Woodside Road in Ketley, near Telford.
He had reportedly been with his mother at his grandparents' house when he was attacked by the family-owned dog.
In a statement, the family said: "We are absolutely devastated by Harry's death and have no words to describe the loss we have suffered.
"At the present time, we have no wish to speak publicly about yesterday's events and would ask that we are left in peace to grieve and begin to deal with our loss."
Initial indications suggested Harry, who was just eight days old, died after being bitten by the Jack Russell.
Police emphasised that Harry was not mauled by the animal, which has now been put down.
West Mercia Police are continuing to investigate the precise circumstances of the newborn's death as they await the result of a post-mortem examination.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson said: "Our investigation is ongoing but it appears that the baby died as a result of a dog bite.
"The dog in question was a family pet - a Jack Russell - and this animal has been put down.
"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.
"With an investigation ongoing, there is no further comment I can make on this matter apart from to say that all our thoughts are with the family of the baby at this extremely sad time."
The emergency services were called to the house just before 8am and Harry was taken to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Efforts to save him were made by the ambulance crew at the scene and on the way to the hospital.
Residents in the local area were reluctant to speak to the media about the tragedy, which is reported to have happened at the home of his mother's parents.
One neighbour, who declined to give her name, said: "It's very, very sad.
"Losing a baby must be heart-breaking however it happens and they need to be left to grieve."
what do you think?
heather
I have had five german shepherds and would never ever let them get anywhere near my grandchildren especially when they are babies, and may I add they were very well trained, this is a no no when will people realise that they are dogs not humans they need to be treated as such, but my heart goes out to this family for their loss
shaun spencer
Its a jack russel in this incident though.a lot smaller than german sheperds.though ja k russels were bred to kill for sport and are fiesty little dogs
GillieLouise
Sensible post heather.... I am a real dog lover and like you I understand dogs. Big or small every dog should be watched but also we should appreciate that dogs suffer from jealousy and frustration. This is yet another sad story. Who is to blame......Cant say... perhaps dog owners should take heed and have special training on handling even the softest family pooch?
Louisa Gieldon
Heather,Shaun and gillie- you are all so right and it seems only common sense. So many dog owners let theri dogs rule them nstead of the other way round. I believe that, given the appropriate stimulus, any dog is capable of snapping or biting. I once had a german shepherd of ours bare his teeth to me-it was terrifying and i had to give up that particular battle and concede defeat. I retrained the dog and won the war by becoming dominant (but in a firm, not a cruel way)
Name witheld
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happymike CHESTER
Will they ever learn tragic loss of a young life RIP
stevie may
I love dogs but understand that some can get jealous around babies, that goes for cats as well. Youve got to be so carefully. . . Tragic event.
stewgwyn
Yes, cats also need watching around small babies.
Valerie Wood
agree with both of you. Dogs are pack animals and therefore it is inbred in them to compete in the pecking order. Cats are also very jealous and are therefore a danger to small children.
Louisa Gieldon
I had four cats with babies in the house. I wasn't particularly worried as the cats were terrified of the boys, but never left them alone and was always watchful, just in case. When i was pregnant many people assumed i'd be getting rid of all my puddy girls -a lot of over reaction
karen henry
You can't trust dogs 100% no matter how well trained they are. I would never keep one as my child is frightened of them as we have so many untrained, noisy dogs near us. All they want to do is jump up and slobber all over us, disqusting.
stewgwyn
You're right Karen. I'm a dog lover, but I have been taught from an early age never to treat any animal with disrespect, and never to completely trust any animal !
Andrea Hill
Agree karen. owners think it ok for their dogs to jump all over you. yuk.
Diane Rogers
I agree Karen.i was chased by a dog when I was young so am stiill wary.i would never let a dog anywhere near a baby.R.I.P little Harry
stewgwyn
I'll go for that one too. My JRT is always being pestered by dogs that are not on leads. The owners always say ''It's OK, he only wants to play''. Well it's not bloody OK, and I don't want other peoples' stupid, muddy, slobbery labradors jumping up at me. If you have a dog you're in control, or don't bother !
Diane Rogers
Andrea. That's what I think especially when toy see where they have been licking
Louisa Gieldon
I suppose they love their pets so much that they cannot understand that the rest of us don't like it. I find doggy drool deeply unpleasant. The "he/she only wants to play" comment is so annoying, as we get our clothes shredded and muddied. And i like dogs, so god knows what it's like for those who don't like them or are scared of them.
Windows Live User
RIP I cant read this
Mick Daniel
I am sorry, but very little sympathy here, although I do feel for the parents. Parents who keep dogs when they have young children are irresponsible. Likewise, all dogs outside the home should be muzzled. Every dog is a potential killer and all dog owners, don't forget it.
Keith Marley
Every human is also a potential killer,,how do suggest we deal with that????.....words fail me on your ignorance.....
kelly gough
I have a staffie and two sons aged 8 and 5 he is amazing with them and has never once gone for my kids despite them terrorising him. I'm having a baby now so ur suggesting I need to get rid of him because I'm having another baby! That's ridiculous. It's just a case of being strict with the dog about his boundaries and not leaving him with the baby on his own.
shaun spencer
I think its you that needs muzzleling with your unsympathetic comments.
Andrea Hill
Agree mick, horrid yappy things.
Diane Rogers
Mick.well said my boss has two dogs and she says dogs are killers it in them
t.bulgin
Kelly, almost every mother whos dog kills her children utters the same phrases. All very reminiscent of your comments here.
barry simms
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Louisa Gieldon
Barry, sorry but i don't have a clue what you're on about mate. Got the bit about you not being a Labour party supporter, but that's about it!
Mick Daniel
Wrong news item buddy and what the heck are you talking about
stewgwyn
I don't think this is Barry's fault, comments have been known to come through on the wrong thread or not at all ! Having said that, I'm having trouble understanding it !
stewgwyn
Very tragic, my condolences to the family. I have a JRT, who for 13 years old, is still very strong and active. When I am play-fighting on the floor with her, I realise that those tiny jaws could make a right mess of someone. Consequently she is never out off the lead or allowed to go near children. As Stevie rightly states, any dog is prone to jealousy
Mick Daniel
Keith Marley your comment is simply pathetic. Get a life and put it into perspective Kelly Gaugh - typical of a dog owner, you completely missed the point. All dogs are potential killers and irresepctive of the owners any could kill a baby at anytime. The facts speak for themselves.
shaun spencer
Its the words" very little sympathy" thats annoying.
Louisa Gieldon
Mick i agreed with most of your post, once i got past the first sentence and the words "little sympathy". That sounded very harsh.
t.bulgin
I have lots sympathy for the little boy. One week old, he didn't even get started before his irresponsible parents allowed his life to be horribly ended. I have some sympathy for them, but not much. I would bet a lot of money that before this they would have uttered the same phrases that we always hear from dog protectors "my little poopkins wouldn't hurt a fly" etc etc.
Louisa Gieldon
A very tragic story. Who knows, their guard may have only slipped for a moment. I love Jacks, but they were bred as hunters and are tenacious little dogs. With a child so young and vulnerable it doesn't really matter f the dog is big or small. So sad.
shaun spencer
Yes louisa jack russels were bred for there size and agressive behavior.they are small enough to go down rabbit holes and agressive enough to take on badgers.horrible though it is.
Valerie Wood
my grandad had a Jack Russell and it always amazed me how strong its jaws were for such a little dog. It used to hang on to a rope and refuse to let go. They are fighters and certainly should NOT be near children.
stewgwyn
Yes Valerie, I've got a thirteen year old JRT and I love her to bits, but I've never lost sight of the fact that she is a potential killer. If those little jaws grab you it's amen. And you can't retaliate, they're too bloody fast !
Mick Daniel
Louisa - yes, you are right, I was wrong to say that. I just get so very annoyed that parents put young children at risk by owning a potentially dangerous "weapon". It has happened far too many times and any arguements put forward by dog owners that well trained dosg will not attack are completlely invalid.
t.bulgin
All dogs will attack if the conditions are right. They are naturally aggressive. Thats why they all have mouths full of sharp teeth and a very keen sense of smell. They are hunters.
Louisa Gieldon
I know. It's so horrible that this keeps happening. The porr, poor little baby. People just refuse to accept that their dogs should be watched and kept away from things that stimulate instinctive behaviour.Like babies and children. But then we don't really know - this could have happened in a few minutes when their guard was down.
stewgwyn
T.bulgin is right. And I say that as a (hopefully) responsible dog owner.
Andy Smithies
Dogs are wild animals that happen to have been "Domesticated" many hundreds of years ago! They, however, are still wild animals and should be treated as such. Would you let your child play with a dingo, wolf or African wild dog?? The interbreeding between dogs also doesn't help!
Baker101
I'm just surprised it wasn't a Staffie.
stewgwyn
A bit staffie-ist if I may say so. It's not so long ago that the rotties and german sheperds were unjustly reviled and condemned by the uninformed.
Louisa Gieldon
Stafies have only had this unjustified reputation for the last decade or so. Before that they were regarded as placid country dogs
t.bulgin
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Lorgar Aurelian
People kill far more other people than any animal. So who should be shot?
ali baba
i think lords and spurs fans should be first on the list :)
shaun spencer
Your going a bit o.t.t here mr t.
ali baba
dog was jealous RIP little one tragic/freak accident with no one really at blame
stewgwyn
Sensible comment, ali, if hindsight came in bottles we'd all be wealthier and wiser.
Adrian Wagstaff
This is happening ALL the time. Why are people even allowed to own Jack Russels? All they do is bite people and make stupid yapping sounds. Why don't they just put all the dogs in zoos with the other dangerous animals? All the time, children are being mauled to death or maimed or have severe facial injuries just because their family own a dog. I bought myself a hamster 'cause I thought it would be safer and people suggested I should own a pet. Owning a pet serves no practical purpose. The first day I bought that, it bit my finger.
Louisa Gieldon
Hamsters only bite when they are scared.
stewgwyn
I wondered how long it would be before the anti-Jack Russell campaign kicked in. Before that it was Staffies, and even before that it was Rotties and German Shepherds. The plain truth is that any dog is a potential killer, and I believe compusory education should be mandatory, but we can't start banning everything that we don't like.
bobh_385
I see the Daily Mail ban it brigade are still around.No such calls when a child is run over by a car though. R.I.P little one
Allan Booth - Staff
How very sad
shaun spencer
9:25am on 21/11/2012
How very very tragic.seriously sad for those involved.rip little one. My comdolences to the family.