A distraught grandmother told an inquest today how the family dog savaged her newborn grandson to death - before curling up next to him in his cot.

Eight-day-old Harry Harper was killed by his family's 'placid' pet Jack Russell, PJ, who sank his teeth into the infant's head and neck.

He was attacked in the family's four-bedroom council house in Woodside Road in Ketley, Shropshire, when PJ leapt into Harry's carry cot which was on a table in the living room. 

 

In the statement read out at Telford and Wrekin Coroners Court, she said: 'I got up with him at about 7am. I went to feed and change him and bring him downstairs.

'He was in a carry cot in the front room which was on a table against the wall. He was asleep so I left him there and went to see the girls off to school.

'I can't remember pulling the door closed. I went back into the kitchen. 

'He (PJ) was always with me, I think I must've assumed he had followed me into the kitchen.

'I heard Harry cry. Then he (Gordon her husband) asked where PJ was. 

'I went straight into the front room and could see PJ sat inside the carry cot at a space by Harry's feet.'

She said she pulled the dog away and carried the child to the kitchen, where he continued to bleed.

She added: 'I realised straight away that PJ must've bit Harry. I was in shock at what had happened, thinking it was my fault.

'I know it was a tragic accident but I will always wonder whether I could have done something differently that morning.'

Paramedics rushed Harry to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford but medics could do nothing to save him and he was pronounced dead at 9.26am.

Mother Mikayla, a shop assistant at Clarks and a part-time model, told the inquest how she was woken up by her mum screaming: 'He's been bitten'.

In a statement read out at the hearing in Wellington Civic Centre in Telford, she said: 'I heard mum screaming and shouting.

'I immediately ran out of my bedroom. I saw my mum holding Harry over the sink. 

'Mum was repeatedly saying "I'm sorry I'm sorry" and I heard mum say "he's been bitten".

'I took hold of Harry. He didn't appear distressed in any way. He wasn't crying and I thought he was going to be okay.

'When we arrived at the hospital I can't remember much of what happened. 

'One minute I thought he was going to be okay, but the next I thought it would be serious.

'A doctor with grey hair said something like "do you want to go and join Harry".

'As we approached him the doctor said there's nothing else we can do. Tom and I sat on our own talking to Harry for an hour. 

'During this time we were allowed to hold Harry. I feel angry about what's happened but I don't blame anyone.

'I'm shocked to know it was PJ because he wasn't vicious at all. PJ was my baby before I had Harry.'

The inquest heard the family had a four-year-old German Shepherd cross called Roxy as well as their Jack Russell PJ - who was put down after Harry's death.

Mikayla Bell described both PJ and Roxy as 'mild-mannered' pets in her statement read out at the hearing.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant deputy coroner for Telford and Wrekin Andrew Barkley said the tragedy should be a warning to parents to keep dogs away from babies.

He said: 'This highlights all too graphically the dangers of dogs being in the presence of babies or small children.

'You can only hope that the public recognise these dangers associated with babies and small children being near dogs.

'I accept the cause of death as being severe head injuries consistent with an attack by a dog.'

Speaking after the hearing, the family said in a statement: 'As a family we remain absolutely devastated by Harry's death

'Although was only with us for eight days he had brought enormous happiness to us all and his loss is a tragedy that we will all carry with us forever.

'We will treasure every single moment we enjoyed with Harry.'