Baby killed in XL bully attack in Rogiet named at inquest

A nine-month-old baby killed after being attacked by his family’s XL bully dog has been named at the opening of an inquest into his death.

Jonte William Bluck was bitten by the pet while staying at his father’s home in Crossway, Rogiet, on 2 November.

The inquest opened at Gwent Coroner’s Court on Monday but it then adjourned until August next year while police inquiries continue.

A provisional cause of death was given as a compressive head injury, consistent with a dog bite.

Area coroner Rose Farmer said: “Jonte William Bluck sadly passed away on the 2nd of November 2025 at his home address.

“The brief circumstances are that on the 2nd of November he was staying at the home of his father when he was bitten by the family dog.

“He was conveyed to the Grange University Hospital but died prior to arrival.

“An inquest has been opened as there is reason to suspect that he died as a result of a dog bite.”

Following the incident, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s from Rogiet were arrested on suspicion of child neglect and of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.

They were later released on police bail.

The dog involved in the incident was a six-year-old male XL bully, which had been registered with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), with a certificate of exemption issued in 2024.

Following the incident, the dog was removed from the house and put down.

The inquest was adjourned until 4 August, 2026.