Two arrests after baby boy killed in XL bully dog attack

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control after a nine-month-old baby boy was killed in an attack by an XL bully in south-east Wales.

Gwent Police and paramedics went to an address in Crossway, Rogiet, near Caldicot, Monmouthshire, on Sunday evening. The baby died at the scene.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend said the arrests were made as part of a “wide range” of inquiries and urged people “not to speculate”, adding if anyone had information “on the dog involved – a male, black XL bully – and its previous behaviour, please contact us directly”.

The pair were also arrested on suspicion of child neglect and were released on bail.

Gwent Police said the six-year-old dog was registered and that a certificate of exemption had been issued in 2024, before a ban on the breed was introduced.

It has been a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without an exception certificate since 1 February 2024, but the number of dog attacks actually increased in 2024 compared to a year earlier.

ACC Townsend warned the community over any speculation online.

“I understand that there is a lot of interest about this in our communities, but this is now a live criminal investigation,” she said.

“It is vital that people think about how their online commentary, in particular social media comments or posts, could impact the ongoing investigation and the criminal justice process.”