Parents warn after fatal mauling - 25th Jun 2009 6:06pm
Parents warn after fatal mauling
The mother and father of a baby boy mauled to death by his grandmother's two dogs have urged parents not to leave children unsupervised with pets.
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Jaden Mack, who was three-and-a-half months old, died when Denise Wilson dozed off while looking after him at her home near Caerphilly in February.
She found the baby, from Ystrad Mynach, on the wooden floor and all attempts to resuscitate him failed.
A verdict of accidental death was recorded at an inquest in Newport.
At the inquest, the Gwent coroner, David Bowen, also urged parents not to leave children unsupervised with pets because as pack animals they can unpredictably revert to basic instincts.
Mr Bowen heard that when Mrs Wilson awoke after dozing off, Jaden was no longer on the cushion and blanket she had left him on a table
The baby was mauled by a Jack Russell and Staffordshire bull terrier, who grabbed him from the table.
A post mortem examination revealed the little boy, who was born with a heart problem, died as a result of being mauled.
He told the child's parents Chris and Alex Mack that the evidence showed that the child would have been unconscious after falling to the wood-effect floor and would not have felt any pain whatsoever, or been aware of what happened next.
The inquest heard evidence from Mrs Wilson stating the Staffordshire bull terrier, who was called Tyson, was as "docile as a dormouse".
Mr Bowen said: "Any criticism of thoughtlessness that may be levelled at Mrs Wilson pales into insignificance compared to the self-recrimination and guilt that will undoubtedly be carried to her grave."
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He stressed that however docile a family dog may appear, whatever their breed, they are essentially pack animals by instinct and should be supervised around babies and children at all times.
He added: "The dogs' actions were not foreseen nor were they anticipated, therefore the proper verdict is that of accidental death."
In a statement after the hearing Chris and Alex Mack reiterated the coroner's warning about family pets being left with children.
"We would like to stress to all families with young children and pet dogs that no matter how much trust you have in your dog, something like this is always possible.
"We never thought it could happen to us, but we are now grieving the loss of our "little man" who will always be in our hearts and loved very much by all of his family and friends"
Gwent Police also issued a statement saying they accepted the coroner's findings.
"This was a tragic incident for the family of Jaden Mack and also the local community," the statement said.
"We hope the conclusion of today's hearing brings some closure for all of those affected.
"Jaden's family continue to grieve following his death and wish to be left alone in peace."
The mother and father of a baby boy mauled to death by his grandmother's two dogs have urged parents not to leave children unsupervised with pets.
Jaden Mack, who was three-and-a-half months old, died when Denise Wilson dozed off while looking after him at her home near Caerphilly in February.
She found the baby, from Ystrad Mynach, on the wooden floor and all attempts to resuscitate him failed.
A verdict of accidental death was recorded at an inquest in Newport.
At the inquest, the Gwent coroner, David Bowen, also urged parents not to leave children unsupervised with pets because as pack animals they can unpredictably revert to basic instincts.
Mr Bowen heard that when Mrs Wilson awoke after dozing off, Jaden was no longer on the cushion and blanket she had left him on a table
The baby was mauled by a Jack Russell and Staffordshire bull terrier, who grabbed him from the table.
A post mortem examination revealed the little boy, who was born with a heart problem, died as a result of being mauled.
He told the child's parents Chris and Alex Mack that the evidence showed that the child would have been unconscious after falling to the wood-effect floor and would not have felt any pain whatsoever, or been aware of what happened next.
The inquest heard evidence from Mrs Wilson stating the Staffordshire bull terrier, who was called Tyson, was as "docile as a dormouse".
Mr Bowen said: "Any criticism of thoughtlessness that may be levelled at Mrs Wilson pales into insignificance compared to the self-recrimination and guilt that will undoubtedly be carried to her grave."
He stressed that however docile a family dog may appear, whatever their breed, they are essentially pack animals by instinct and should be supervised around babies and children at all times.
He added: "The dogs' actions were not foreseen nor were they anticipated, therefore the proper verdict is that of accidental death."
In a statement after the hearing Chris and Alex Mack reiterated the coroner's warning about family pets being left with children.
"We would like to stress to all families with young children and pet dogs that no matter how much trust you have in your dog, something like this is always possible.
"We never thought it could happen to us, but we are now grieving the loss of our "little man" who will always be in our hearts and loved very much by all of his family and friends"
Gwent Police also issued a statement saying they accepted the coroner's findings.
"This was a tragic incident for the family of Jaden Mack and also the local community," the statement said.
"We hope the conclusion of today's hearing brings some closure for all of those affected.
"Jaden's family continue to grieve following his death and wish to be left alone in peace."