Further arrests made after baby killed in XL bully dog attack

Further arrests have been made by police investigating the death of a nine-month-old boy killed in a dog attack in south-east Wales.

Jonte William Bluck was bitten by his family's XL bully dog while staying at his father's home in Crossway, Rogiet, in Monmouthshire, on 2 November.

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

Gwent Police said a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s from Chepstow were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

A man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s were arrested on 7 November on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Police previously 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.

Speaking at the time, members of the small village called the dog attack "heart-breaking".

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.

There were 31,920 dog attacks on people recorded in England Wales in 2024 – a 2% increase on 2023 – according to Freedom of Information figures obtained from police forces.

However, the figures may not show the full picture, as three police forces did not provide useable data.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend said she understood there was interest around the incident, but urged people "not to speculate".

"Speculation, particularly online commentary, can impact the investigation," she said, offering renewed condolences from the police to "everyone affected by this tragic death".