Nine-month-old baby dies in dog attack as police probe launched

Officers attended the scene alongside Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics.

The nine-month-old baby was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Gwent Police.

Chief Superintendent John Davies said: “We understand that there will be concerns around this incident, but officers are on scene and will be making further enquiries as the investigation progresses.

“If you have concerns or information then please do stop and talk with us.”

The dog believed to have carried out the attack has been seized and removed from the property, police confirmed.

Residents have said the incident has left them profoundly shocked.

Locals reported seeing ambulances and police vehicles on the residential street shortly after the incident.

The police cordon had been removed by around 10pm, with crime scene investigation vehicles moving in after emergency services left the area.

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According to data from Gwent Police, 539 dog attacks were reported from February 2024 to January this year.

In the same time period in 2023/24, 426 incidents were recorded - a 26.5 per cent increase.

Gwent ranked among the forces which saw the largest increases in dog attacks, alongside Devon & Cornwall, Warwickshire and Cleveland.

Despite the introduction of the XL Bully ban in February last year, the National Policing Chief Council (NPCC) warned earlier this year that the legislation would not provide a simple fix to the issue.

There is no indication that Sunday's attack was carried out by the banned breed.

The NPCC said that police forces across Britain had seized almost 5,000 banned dogs in the first six months after the law came into effect.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said at the time: “The ban on XL Bullies is there to protect public safety and we expect all XL Bully owners to comply with the strict conditions.

“Ongoing dog attacks show we need to do more to protect public safety.

"We will continue to encourage responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog and to consider whether the current dog control rules are sufficient to ensure communities are protected.”

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