14/01/2008

No Charges Over Toddler Dog Attack Death

No one will face charges over the death of a 13-month-old boy who was mauled to death by a rottweiler at his grandparents home after Christmas.

Archie-Lee Hirst died on December 28 after being attacked by the animal at his grandparents' home in Wakefield in West Yorkshire.

His 16-year-old aunt was babysitting him, along with her two younger sisters, aged six and seven.

The seven-year-old girl was carrying Archie-Lee to the back door of the house when the dog snatched the toddler from the girl's arms.

His aunt tried to rescue him by hitting and kicking the female dog, but the toddler died later in hospital from his injuries.

The attack was described as completely unexpected and the animal was said to be used to children.

Police killed the two-year-old dog.

West Yorkshire Police said that the Crown Prosecution Service had decided that there was insufficient evidence to secure a prosecution in the case.

Archie-Lee's funeral took place at St Paul's Church in Alverthorpe, Wakefield, West Yorkshire on Monday. Around 150 mourners attended the funeral, including the toddler's parents, 18-year-old Rebecca Hirst and Damian Williamson, 20.

The funeral service included a poem written to Archie-Lee's mother as if it was from her son. It said: "Mommy, I wish I could stay. Just like I heard you pray. But all the angles did cry, when they told little me goodbye.

"The streets of gold is where I play. You'll come here too, mommy, someday. Until the day you join me here, I'll love you mommy dear. Each breeze you feel and see, brings love and a kiss from me."

Mr Williamson helped carry his son's blue coffin out of the church, following the service, and friends and family gathered in the church ground to release balloons.

(KMcA)


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