Caerphilly dog attack: Inquest into Jack Lis death opens

A 10-year-old boy who was killed by a dog died as a result of "severe injuries to the head and neck," an inquest has heard.

Jack William Lis died after being attacked at a house in Caerphilly on Monday afternoon.

A 28-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the dog attack.

Jack's family said they were "absolutely heartbroken" and their lives would "never be the same" without him.

They said: "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. He's forever in our hearts. Sweet dreams Jack, our perfect boy."

Gwent Police said the dog involved in the attack was 15 months old but it is still working to identify the breed it was.

Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough said: "Once this is completed, we will be able to establish if the breed features on the list of illegal dogs to own in this country and any other criminal offences identified will be investigated fully officers."

At the opening of the inquest at Newport Coroner's Court, the provisional cause of death was given as "severe injuries to the head and neck".

The court heard Jack was outside his house "playing with a friend", and then went to his friend's home.

Senior coroner for Gwent, Caroline Saunders, said upon entering the home "Jack was attacked by a dog".

The court heard paramedics were called but Jack's injuries were "unsurvivable" and he was pronounced dead at 16:14 GMT on Monday.

Jack was identified by photos provided to the mortuary manager, the hearing was told.

The coroner said the circumstances surrounding Jack's death were "violent and unnatural" and so formally opened an inquest into his death.

She then adjourned the inquest for "further inquiries" to be made and it will be resumed at a later date.

BBC Wales was told the dog, known as Beast, had been kept at a home in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, until two days prior to the attack.

It was shot "several times" by firearms officers, a senior officer said.

Ch Supt Hobrough told ITV Wales the force had "no records or reports of this dog, or any incident involving this dog, prior to this incident, but it's clear there are things that are known by the community that can assist this investigation".

The dog is thought to have previously belonged to Lee Jenkins, 34, who voluntarily attended an interview with police on Wednesday.

Mr Jenkins has denied ownership of Beast.

He said: "I am not the owner of that dog. I told the police everything I know. They know I have nothing to do with it.

"It's not my dog and it's since been re-homed from me."

A neighbour of Mr Jenkins has told BBC Wales that Beast was used as a breeding stud. He is known to have fathered at least 10 puppies by Mr Jenkins' other dog, Beauty.

On 29 October, Mr Jenkins posted an advert to rehome Beast on a Facebook page, describing him as "grate (sic) with people", but adding that he did "not like other dogs at all".