Tragedy unfolded connected Father's Day arsenic seven-month-old was conscionable looking retired the window
- Holly Christodoulou, Digital Court Editor
- Published: 14:53, 21 Nov 2024
- Updated: 14:53, 21 Nov 2024
A BABY miss was mauled to decease by her favored canine arsenic her parents desperately tried to propulsion the carnal disconnected her, an inquest heard.
Elle Doherty suffered superior caput injuries aft being bitten by the Belgian Malinois called Zeus astatine location successful Coventry.
An inquest heard however the seven-month-old was sitting looking retired of a model erstwhile the 31kg canine attacked.
In CCTV stills shown to the court, her parents Sean and Natasha Doherty were seen rushing implicit to propulsion the three-year-old favored away.
The mates could past beryllium seen cradling and protecting their girl during the attack, which lasted little than 1 second.
Detective Inspector Anthony Hibbert said: "It appears from erstwhile you ticker the footage, possibly babe Elle somewhat leant connected Zeus and that is erstwhile Zeus attacks babe Elle."
Baby Ellie was rushed to infirmary but tragically couldn't beryllium saved and died a abbreviated clip later.
In a connection submitted to the court, dada Sean told however the household had got Zeus arsenic a puppy from a breeder successful Gloucester successful October 2020.
He said helium astatine archetypal thought that Zeus, who had antecedently been trained by 2 abstracted canine experts, had "pinned" down a 2nd household favored - a 15-year-old French bulldog.
Recalling the attack, the dada added: "We were conscionable chatting and abruptly (Natasha) shouted, 'No'. I grabbed him (Zeus) - I deliberation it was his collar.
"I chucked him outside. Elle was connected the level crying. Everything happened truthful quickly."
The dada told the inquest Zeus was "good astir people, bully astir different dogs".
He said the lone happening the favored disliked was being "surprised by different dog" but claimed helium "never showed immoderate signs of aggression".
His comments were echoed by mum Natasha, who told said Zeus had ne'er truly shown "any interest" successful Elle.
Police confirmed the canine was a Belgian Malinois, a benignant of Belgian Shepherd which is not classed arsenic a dangerous breed.
The animal was removed from the location and humanely destroyed.
Officers said astatine the clip they were "satisfied" that nary criminal offence had been committed.
Coroner Delroy Henry described the onslaught arsenic "sudden and unanticipated" arsenic helium recorded a communicative conclusion.
He said: "The canine has shown nary signs of aggression to babe Elle or, indeed, immoderate of the occupants of that home. Baby Elle brushed against him. I find arsenic a information that the canine spot the caput of babe Elle.
"Sadly, babe Elle died a abbreviated clip aboriginal the aforesaid day. The decease of babe Elle was caused by a abrupt and unanticipated behaviour of a ample canine successful a household home.
"This is surely a tragic incidental - a household changed forever. I truly don't deliberation determination are immoderate words that I could accidental to console the household of Elle prevention to re-iterate that my bosom goes retired to the Elle's parents and family."