Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Our sweet sweet boy.. he was just out to play
Moving tribute from grieving mum whose 10-yr-old lad was killed by dog
THE mum of 10-year-old Jack Lis, who was mauled to death by a dog at a friend’s house, has described her son as a “sweet, sweet boy”.
It is thought Jack was barely through the door when the powerful animal, said to be an American bulldog-type breed, pounced in the hallway.
The lad’s friend and neighbours tried in vain to get the dog under control.
In the end it was shot seven times by a police marksman.
A Labour MP has now called for an overhaul of dog laws.
Jack’s grieving mum Emma Whitfield said on Facebook: “Our beautiful boy was taken so tragically.
“It was not our dog nor did it happen at our family home. He was out to play. We love you so much our sweet, sweet boy.”
Jack was mauled at 3.55pm on Monday after going to play at his pal’s house after they went home from school together.
A local, Tracey Lawrence, said: “The boy that lives there ran to the neighbour and said ‘My dog has killed my friend.’
“Everyone was out on the street crying. It was awful.”
One neighbour Kirk Wiegold tried to pull the dog off Jack but described the animal as being “too fierce to do anything”.
Messages attached to floral tributes at the scene in Penyrheol, Caerphilly, included one from a friend saying: “We will never forget you.”
Jack was “fun-loving and full of life”, according to shocked families.
Lindsay Whittle, the chairman of governors at the school Jack attended, said: “I’m in tears just thinking about what happened. This is an entire village in shock. I’m heartbroken for his poor parents. We are all devastated.” The head teacher Gareth Rees said: “The whole school community has been rocked by the tragic events.
“Jack was a bright and caring pupil who was popular amongst his peers and the teaching staff.
“Appropriate support is being made available for pupils and staff as we come to terms with this devastating news.”
Crime scene investigators were at the house yesterday while other officers conducted door-to-door inquiries. Jack
lived in a neighbouring street. Wayne David, the Labour MP for Caerphilly, said: “There needs to be an examination of the Dangerous Dogs Act to see if the law needs to be strengthened.”
Gwent police refused to comment on the exact breed of the dog, which neighbours said was about 15 months old.
As their probe continued, officers would only say the pet was “powerful”.
Chief Supt Mark Hobrough said: “We can confirm the attack did not happen in the house owned by Jack’s family, but inside a property on a nearby street.”
Colin Spender, a retired Police Dog Legislation Officer who appears as an expert witness in courts, told the Mirror: “Dog law is very controversial. I see dogs as a loaded gun. Owners need to understand the complexity of their dog and the danger they can pose.”
Colin, from Colin’s Dog Behaviour & Training Services in Dorset, added: “There could be all manner of reasons why that dog attacked.”
Dog attacks hit a record high last year in England, with 1,700 children savaged.
Animal welfare charity the PDSA blamed irresponsible owners and said the Dangerous Dogs Act is not working.