Savaged baby is ‘critical but stable’

A BABY boy fighting for his life after being attacked by a pet dog is ‘critical but stable’ in hospital.

The six-week-old, named locally as Mikey Skelly, was mauled while at his aunt’s house in Hawick, Roxburghshire, on Thursday.

Police Scotland confirmed that the dog had been destroyed.

The baby was taken to Borders General Hospital in Melrose before being airlifted by a trauma team to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

It is understood the child was left in the care of a family friend while his mother, Lucy Donaldson, 28, and her sister, Robyn, went out.

Neighbour Teresa Currie, 37, said the baby was inside the house, while the friend played football with children in the front garden. She said the two women had then returned, adding: ‘The next thing I saw was Lucy running out of the house, hands in the air, screaming.

‘Lucy called her dad John and he arrived. He went in and came out with his hands up to his face.

‘It must have been a horrific scene. Lucy was in hysterics.

‘Robyn came out of the house carrying the dog, which is just a wee thing, and put it in the car.’ Another neighbour said: ‘It’s hard to believe something as horrific as this can happen here.’

The incident is thought to have happened in the living room of the house. On Friday, police officers stood guard outside while forensic specialists investigated.

Police Scotland said: ‘Inquiries are ongoing. A baby boy remains in a critical condition.’