Dog mauled four-month-old baby to death

A mother bravely fought off a Staffordshire bull terrier which savagely attacked her two young sons but could only save the eldest boy, an inquest heard.

Jade Rogers was at home alone with four-month-old Archie Joe Darby and his brother, Daniel-Jay, 2, when the family dog, Bailey, entered the living room and “immediately” attacked Daniel-Jay.

Miss Rogers fought the dog away from the toddler but the animal managed to pull baby Archie from her arms and maul him to death.

Essex Coroner Eleanor McGann, recording a conclusion of accidental death, hailed Miss Rogers for her bravery in dialling 999, fighting off the dog and barricading it in a conservatory.

Miss Rogers had moved in to the house in Harwich Road, Colchester, with her sister, Clare Ferdinand, around a week before the attack on October 13.

Miss Rogers told police she was in the living room with her two sons and was video-calling the children’s father, Daniel Darby.

The dog entered the living room while the pair were on the phone, Mr Biddle said.

“It growled and immediately attacked Daniel,” he said. “Jade went to get up and tried to move the dog out of the room.

“She tried to pull the dog off Daniel. It dropped Daniel and pulled Archie out of her arms.”

The dog shook Archie around and dropped him, and he died of head injuries.

Coroner Ms McGann described the attack as “harrowing”.

“Nobody here is to blame,” she said. “It’s just one of those hideous things that comes out of the blue, can’t be predicted and, Miss Rogers, I commend you for your bravery fighting off a dog attacking both of your children.”

Picture: UNS. Archie Darby, left, who died and his brother Daniel.