The four-month-old baby mauled to death by a Staffie in his aunt and uncle’s home had moved into the house a week before for a ‘better life’.
Archie Joe Darby was killed in the attack, while his elder brother Daniel Jay, aged 22 months, was left with life-changing injuries.
The pair and their mother, Jade Rogers, were staying at the home of Jade’s sister Clare Ferdinand and her husband John. Reports suggested that Jade was in the bath when the attack began, and she suffered injuries trying to save her two children from the dog.
It has been suggested that the pet may have attacked the young children in an effort to establish its territory following their recent arrival in the home.
A photo taken from Clare Ferdinand’s Facebook page showed a Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog, the breed responsible in the attack according to police.
In a statement, the boys’ mother and her partner said: ‘Our beautiful sons Archie Joe Darby and Daniel-Jay Darby are so, so loved by us all and were such happy little loveable boys.
‘It doesn’t seem real that our little Archie Bum has gone to heaven and our little Daniel is in intensive care because of a tragic, tragic incident involving a dog attack.
‘We have lost our gorgeous little four –month-old baby and our beautiful 22-month-old boy is currently being treated for his injuries.
‘Heaven has gained a beautiful little angel and he will be greatly missed by us all and our other little soldier is still fighting strong.’
The dog, which has since been put down, was owned by a serving police officer.
It is not known whether PC Clare Ferdinand, 31, was at the address at the time the dog launched its attack.
As news of the tragedy spread, friends took to social media to pay tribute to little Archie Joe.
