10-month-old baby injured after Barnsley dog attack
Police are urging we are careful with our family pets
A 10 month old baby boy has been injured after being attacked by a dog in Barnsley.
Police say they were called yesterday morning (24/10/23) to the incident - with the dog being described as pleasant and affectionate with no history of aggression.
Officers are urging that we take care with our own family pets.
A Police spokesperson said:
"A baby has been attacked by a family pet this morning (24 October) in Barnsley.
"The dog, described as usually ‘loving and affectionate’ and having shown no previous signs of aggression, has left a 10-month-old boy requiring surgery.
"This news is being shared as a reminder to parents that it can happen to anyone. We’re urging you to stop thinking ‘it won’t happen to me’ or ‘my dog wouldn’t do that’.
"The boy, who remains in hospital in a stable but serious condition, was at home with his family when their Cane Corsa X attacked him as he started to cry. The incident was out of character for the dog, who has no previous history of aggression, and no reports of community concerns had been made to the police.
"The owner of the dog described him as being ‘pleasant’ and ‘affectionate’ with children."
Dog Legislation Officer PC Paul Jameson explains more, he said:
“Our early enquiries with the family highlighted that the dog was not previously reported to be of an aggressive nature, and this was a family who took precautions and are responsible owners.
“An incident like this is a stark reminder that regardless of a dog’s nature, or previous interactions with children, other dogs and people, they are animals and their innate instinct to protect themselves which can result in serious injuries and sometimes fatality.”