Wellwishers raise £14k for family of boy killed by dog
A FUNDRAISER set up to support the family of a 10-year-old killed in a dog attack in Caerphilly has raised more than £14,000 in a matter of days.
Jack Lis died after being attacked by a dog at a friend’s house in Pentwyn, Penyrheol, at about 4pm on Monday.
An inquest on Friday heard Jack suffered “severe injuries to his head and neck” before the dog was killed by firearms officers.
On Friday, an online fundraising page was set up to contribute towards the expenses for the youngster’s funeral.
By yesterday evening, more than 1,100 wellwishers touched by the plight of Jack’s grieving family, had donated a total of more than £14,000 towards the cause.
A member of Jack’s extended family set up the GoFundMe page, with the intention of supporting Jack’s loving family and helping them with funeral costs.
In a post on the fundraising page the organiser wrote: “Many people have expressed their deepest condolences and have asked to donate/contribute in some way towards the funeral costs to help the family at this very difficult and emotional time.
“So it is with extreme heartache that I write this to give those wishing to donate a place to do so.
“Jack was a loving caring young boy who will be greatly missed, never forgotten, and always in our hearts. Fly high sweet, sweet boy.”
The page, which had a £10,000 target and was set up on Friday morning, had already hit £11,000 by Saturday morning.
The organiser added a “massive thanks to every single person that has donated and sent their love and thoughts to the family at this terrible time”.
To contribute to the fundraiser, visit www.gofundme.com/f/helptowards-funeral-costs-for-jack-lis
Meanwhile, a senior police officer said he was “highly concerned over the nature” of the dog which killed the schoolboy, adding that it was “a danger to wider society”.
Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough later told reporters: “This is an extremely challenging case and a very traumatic and emotive incident, one that has understandably and correctly caused concern within the community, because this is not something that should happen.
“Obviously I have concerns over the nature of the dog. It would be impossible for me to say I’m not highly concerned over the nature of that dog. It was a danger to wider society. That is why it was dealt with the way it was at the scene and why this incident is receiving dedicated attention.
“We continue to gather evidence in relation to the background and history of the dog and its ownership.
“This will assist us with official identification of the dog which I need to stress takes time.
“Obviously the transference of any dog should be done responsibly.
“Responsible ownership is paramount and to make sure you have sound control of your dog is vitally important.”
Earlier on Friday, an inquest opening at Gwent Coroner’s Court heard Jack had been outside his home playing before going into a friend’s house.
Upon entering the home he was attacked by a dog and sustained “unsurvivable” injuries, the court heard.
In a statement, Jack’s family said: “We are absolutely heartbroken.
“Our lives will never be the same without Jack.
“This is not something any parent should ever have to be writing.
“We have so many words we want to say about our beautiful boy, but they do not seem enough.
“We love him more than words can describe.
“Our boy made us the proudest parents and family on the planet. “He was the sweetest of boys. “We will forever miss his quirky ways and his stories that he would spend so long telling us.
“He’s forever in our hearts. “Sweet dreams Jack, our perfect boy.”
A 28-year-old woman from the Caerphilly area was arrested 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 – attended a police station voluntarily in connection with an offence of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. Both were later released.
Chief Supt Hobrough said: “Forensic examinations in relation to the dog are continuing.
“I understand there is a lot of speculation but I ask for understanding that identification formality is vital for this investigation.”
Dozens of floral tributes have been left outside the home where Jack died. One reads: “Jack, what a handsome and well-mannered boy.
“Thinking of your family at this heartbreaking time. So sad, sleep tight.”