Killer dog that mauled boy, 10, to death was sold online TWO WEEKS ago
Killer dog that mauled boy, 10, to death was sold online TWO WEEKS ago: Previous owner of American pitbull-type nicknamed ‘Beast’ got rid of 15-month-old pet ‘over fears it would attack other animals’ as woman, 28, is arrested
- Previous owner ‘sold American pitbull-type dog which killed boy, 10, over fears it would attack other animals’
- Jack Lis was mauled by dog nicknamed ‘Beast’ by past owner while playing at a friend’s house in Caerphilly
- Neighbours and paramedics tried to save him but he died at the scene and the dog was destroyed on site
- Detectives questioned three people and are probing if the animal was one of four breeds outlawed in UK
- Labour MP Wayne David called for an urgent review into dangerous dog laws after Jack’s ‘traumatic’ death
- In an emotional tribute on Facebook, his mother Emma Whitfield called Jack her ‘sweet, sweet boy’
An American pitbull-type dog which mauled a 10-year-old boy to death was sold online less than two weeks ago after its previous owner feared it would attack other animals
An American pitbull-type dog nicknamed ‘Beast’ which mauled a 10-year-old boy to death in Wales was sold online less than two weeks ago after its previous owner feared it would attack other animals.
Jack Lis was killed by the ‘powerful’ 7st animal while playing at a friend’s house in Caerphilly after school on Monday afternoon, Gwent Police said. His terrified friend then ran for help while reportedly screaming: ‘My dog has killed my friend’.
Paramedics were called to the scene at around 4pm but they were unable to save him, and the brown and white dog was destroyed by armed police on site. Neighbours say they believe the animal was an American pitbull, but a post-mortem has yet to verify the breed.
Detectives investigating Jack’s death have questioned three people and arrested a 28-year-old woman from Caerphilly on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. She was later released on conditional bail.
Two men – a 34-year-old from the Mountain Ash area and a 19-year-old from the Caerphilly area – voluntarily attended a police station and were also quizzed on suspicion of the same offence before being release.
It has now emerged that its new owners bought the 15-month-old dog less than two weeks ago, after its previous owners worried it would attack other animals.
An advert for the ‘very large, powerful’ dog which was posted on Facebook on October 29 said the animal ‘unfortunately does not like other dogs’.
‘I’ve tried my best with him, I have other dogs and cannot put them at risk,’ the ad said.
In a statement, Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough said: ‘As our investigation continues, we will be removing our scenes from the area and the work to identify the breed of dog involved is also progressing.
‘As we’ve arrested an individual on suspicion of an offence linked to the attack, and spoken to two others voluntarily, we’re looking to identify where any criminal matters have occurred.
‘I understand that there is a lot of interest about this in our communities. It is vital that people are considering the tone and language used in comment posted on social media about the identities of anyone involved in this matter as part of our enquiries. As this is a live investigation such comments may have impact on our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice.’
Labour MP Wayne David called for an urgent review into dangerous dog laws after Jack’s ‘traumatic’ and ‘tragic’ death, as detectives investigate whether the animal was one of four outlawed breeds, which include the American pitbull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino and fila Braziliero.
Speaking outside Blackwood police station last night, the senior detective added: ‘To buy a banned dog is a criminal offence and there’s no excuse for it and it will be dealt with the full weight of UK legislation.
‘My advice to dog owners in general and people who are potentially looking to buy dogs is to do background research on the type of dog that suit your activities and your family or domestic set-up.’
Neighbour Tracey Lawrence said Jack’s friend had rushed out and screamed for help after the attack, telling The Sun: ‘My neighbour went and tried to push the door open but the dog had latched on to the boy’s leg. Everyone was out on the street crying.’
In an emotional tribute on Facebook yesterday, Jack’s heartbroken mother Emma Whitfield, 32, wrote: ‘We love you so much our sweet, sweet boy.’
Pictured: Jack Lis, the 10-year-old killed by an American Pitbull-style dog in South Wales while playing with a friend
Jack was killed by the ‘powerful’ and ‘aggressive’ animal while playing at a friend’s house in Caerphilly after school on Monday afternoon, Gwent Police said
Labour MP for Caerphilly Wayne David (right) called for an urgent review into dangerous dog laws. Jack’s mother Emma Whitfield (left) paid tribute to her ‘sweet, sweet boy’ in an emotional Facebook post yesterday
Police officers at the scene where a 10-year-old boy has died after reportedly being attacked by a dog in Caerphilly on November 9, 2021
This maps shows Caerphilly in South Wales, where Jack Lis was mauled to death by an American pitbull-type dog
What is the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991?
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 bans or restricts certain types of dogs and makes it an offence to allow a dog of any breed to be dangerously out of control.
It was introduced 30 years ago by Home Secretary Kenneth Baker ‘to rid the country of the menace of these fighting dogs’ after a string of attacks.
Which dogs are banned in the UK?
It is illegal to own four breeds of dogs without an exemption from a court. They are:
- American pitbull terriers;
- Japanese tosas
- Dogo Argentinos;
- Fila Brazileiro
The law also criminalises cross-breeds of the above four types of dog – meaning that whether a dog is prohibited will depend on a judgement about its physical characteristics, and whether they match the description of a prohibited ‘type’.
What happens if there’s a dog attack?
You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months if your dog is dangerously out of control.
You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed.
If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to five years or fined. If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with ‘malicious wounding’.
And if you allow your dog to kill someone you can be sent to prison for up to 14 years or get an unlimited fine.
Why has the Act been criticised?
Both the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the British Veterinary Association have protested against the ban, insisting there is no scientific evidence that all individuals of a breed are dangerous.
However, Met Police data suggests that in incidents involving ‘dangerously out of control dogs’, banned breeds account for about a fifth of offences.
Those living on the street say they have been appalled by the incident. Ricky Willis, 70, said: ‘The first I heard of it my neighbour knocked on my door, it’s a big shock. I’ve lived on this road for 46 years and I’ve never seen anything like this happen.’
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, described the scene as ‘chaos’.
While another said: ‘I feel sick to my stomach thinking about what happened to that boy. We went out to see what was going on but the police asked us to go back inside while they put the child in the ambulance. So we did, out of respect.’
Neighbour Tracey Lawrence said the alarm was raised by tragic Jack’s friend who ran out of the house as the animal attacked in the hallway.
She said: ‘The little boy that lives there ran over to the neighbour and said: ‘My dog has killed my friend.’ My neighbour went and tried to push the door open but the dog had latched on to the boy’s leg.
‘Everyone was out on the street crying. It was awful here. Everyone was upset.’
The dog was about 15 months old – and described as being ‘trouble’ by other villagers. Tracey said: ‘The boys were very young to be home alone. Especially with a dog like that.
‘Last time I saw the dog it was only a small puppy but seeing him yesterday it was like: ‘Oh my God.’
‘The police were distracting the dog to get it away from the boy and it was up on the sink with huge muscles in his shoulders.’
Neighbour Kirk Wiegold battled to pull the dog off little Jack – but described the animal as ‘just being too fierce to do anything.’
A family member said: ‘He just wishes he could have done more but thinks it was too late. He’s feeling really upset about it – it was horrible thing to see.’
One mother on the school run said: ‘It was an American bulldog. It had snapped at neighbours before and had been seen running down the street. The little boy didn’t live there. He had just been on the school bus and had gone to visit his friend. I couldn’t live with that knowing somebody else’s child has died in my care.’
School head Gareth Rees held special talks with ‘shocked’ staff and pupils over the tragedy. He said: ‘It is a very difficult day.’
The dog was shot by police marksmen and it’s owner is being interviewed by police. Neighbours said the dog was ‘known to be trouble’ – and rumoured to have bitten another man and killed a cat in recent weeks.
One mother, who lives just a few doors away from the scene, said: ‘I had no idea what happened until I came home and saw the police. I can’t imagine what the family are going through.’
Cllr Lindsay Whittle, chairman of governors at Cwm Ifor Primary School, said: ‘It is just too tragic for words. I’m in tears just thinking about what happened. I’ve spoken to the head and it is going to be very difficult to tell all his friends and classmates what has happened.
Police at the scene in Pentwyn, Penyrheol, near Caerphilly. Armed police killed the dog after the attack
Flowers left outside a house where a 10-year-old boy died after being attacked by a dog on November 9, 2021
Crime officers at the scene where a 10-year-old boy was killed by a dog. Police are conducting house-to-house inquiries
Crime officers at the scene where a 10-year-old boy was killed by a dog. Police confirmed Jack was not killed in his own house
‘This is an entre village in shock. I’m heartbroken for his poor parents and we are all devastated.’
A Gwent Police spokesman said: ‘We were called to an address in Pentwyn, Penyrhoel, Caerphilly at around 3.55pm on Monday 8 November, following reports of a dog attack.
‘Officers attended, including specially-trained firearms officers, alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service, who confirmed that a 10-year-old boy had died at the scene.
‘The dog was destroyed by firearms officers and no other animals were involved in the attack.’
Crime officers at the scene where a 10-year-old boy was killed by a dog. Jack was described as ‘fun-loving and full of life’ by shocked parents and residents
Flowers left outside the house in Pentwyn, Penyrheol, near Caerphilly where Jack was mauled to death
Police standing outside a home in Penrhyl, Caerphilly after Jack Lis was mauled to death by a dog
A 10-year-old boy died after being attacked by a dog at an address in Caerphilly yesterday
A cordon remained in place around several houses in Caerphilly late on Monday evening
Police said investigations into the incident were continuing.
Cllr Steve Skivens said: ‘Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the young man who has lost his life. We would also like to extend our thoughts to all the emergency services who attended the incident. Unfortunately an animal had to be put down
‘We await the details from the police. It’s a tragic, tragic loss of a young life.’
Forensics officers were at the scene late into Monday evening, with another police car also present and several houses cordoned off as officers controlled access to the scene.
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