3 month old mauled by dogs

A BABY boy died today after being mauled by two family dogs.

Three-and-a-half-month-old Jaden Joseph Mack was fatally injured in the living room of a house in Ystrad Mynach, south Wales, shortly after midnight.

He was taken to the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr where he was pronounced dead.

Police investigating the tragedy said they believe the injuries were caused by two dogs - a Staffordshire bull terrier and a Jack Russell. The dogs have since been destroyed.

Jaden is believed to have been the only child of a couple who were married a year ago.

A post-mortem examination was being carried out on his body today.

The house in Commercial Street, Ystrad Mynach, was cordoned off and forensic officers examined the scene.

Neighbours said Jaden was staying with his grandmother when the attack happened.

Neighbours told how they heard her screaming when she discovered what had happened. She is believed to have been treated for shock.

Police confirmed that Jaden’s parents were not present in the house and said no arrests have been made.

Neighbour Heather Organ, 47, said she was watching television when she heard screaming.

“It seemed as if somebody was very distressed or being attacked,” she said.

The grandmother came out and she was screaming ’The baby is dead! He is dead!

Stunned neighbour Heather Organ

“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 realise what had happened so, rather than let the dogs get hurt, I picked up the Jack Russell and ushered the other one 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.

“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.”

She added: “It was dreadful. There was blood on the floor.

“I know people can’t prove anything but at this moment in time it does suggest that it was the dog.”

Another neighbour, Gail Jones, 45, said she was walking back from a night out when she heard a distressed woman.

“It was just after 12pm and I heard the grandmother,” she said. “She was more than crying - she was absolutely hysterical. The poor woman. It was terrible.”

She added: “You see these stories on the telly and you don’t think it is going to happen on your street.

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

“Your heart goes out to the family. It is just tragic.”

Mrs Jones said she thought Jaden was the only child of his parents who were married “a year or so ago”.

Another neighbour, who declined to give his name, said: “It was the worst screaming I have ever heard. It was sickening.”

Ystrad Mynach councillor Alan Angel said: “I would imagine all the community is shocked by this. It is a tragic thing; especially with the boy being so young.”

Chief Inspector Jim Baker of Gwent Police said: “This is a tragic incident for the family and the community.

“Gwent Police Family Liaison Officers are currently supporting and assisting the family through this difficult time. The family wish to be left alone to grieve.”

He added: “Although the exact circumstances of the baby’s death are yet to be established, we would like to reiterate the advice given to dog owners that dogs should never be left unsupervised with young children at any time.”