A nine-month-old baby boy has been named as the victim of a fatal attack by his family's XL Bully dog in a quiet Welsh village.
Jonte William Bluck sustained catastrophic head injuries during the incident while in the care of his father, 30-year-old Jarrod Bluck, at their home in Rogiet, Gwent.
The Tragic Incident
The attack occurred on November 2, 2025, with area coroner Rose Farmer confirming the infant died before reaching hospital. The provisional cause of death was listed as a compressive head injury consistent with a dog bite.
The inquest heard that neighbours believed the six-year-old male black dog might have been spooked by fireworks in the run-up to Bonfire Night. The XL Bully was subsequently seized by authorities and later put down.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Following Jonte's death, police questioned a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s on suspicion of being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog that savaged the baby boy.
Both individuals were also questioned over alleged child neglect before being released on bail. Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend emphasised the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation, urging the public to consider how their online commentary could impact the criminal justice process.
Despite the national XL Bully ban, it was confirmed that the dog involved was registered with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and held a certificate of exemption issued in 2024.
Broader Context of XL Bully Attacks
This tragic incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing concern about dog attacks across England and Wales. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared the XL Bully breed a danger to communities, leading to its addition to the list of prohibited breeds.
Since February 1, 2024, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate. Shockingly, more than 20,000 dog attacks were reported to police across England and Wales in the 12 months following the XL Bully ban implementation.
The inquest into Jonte's death has been adjourned until August 4, 2026, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding this devastating loss.
