THE parents of a baby boy killed in a dog attack have paid tribute to him in a heartbreaking statement.

The parents of Archie Joe Darby, four months, and Daniel-Jay Darby, 22 months, released a statement this afternoon which reads: "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."

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A BABY boy has died after being attacked by a dog outside a house in Colchester.

Police were called by the ambulance service to an address in Harwich Road at around 3.10pm yesterday.

The four-month-old baby was rushed to Colchester General Hospital with life threatening injuries but could not be saved.

The baby's 22-month-old brother is also being treated for serious injuries which have been described as life-changing.

A woman believed to be the boys' mother has been treated for minor injuries.

Police have now said the dog responsible has been put down.

At 3.50pm today, the police confirmed reports the dog was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place on the dog today.

The dog's owner has been named as PC Clare Ferdinand, 31, a serving police officer from Hornchurch.

District Commander for Colchester, Chief Insp Elliot Judge, held a press conference outside the house in Harwich Road at 4.15pm.

In it he said: "This is a tragic incident where a young child has lost his life.

"We can confirm the incident took place inside a house on Harwich Road, the dog has been destroyed, and no-one has been arrested.

"An investigation to establish the facts surrounding what happened is on-going.

"This is obviously a very difficult time for the family, who are being supported by specially trained officers.

"I would ask again for the media to respect their privacy”.

A post-mortem examination on the body of the four-month old baby is expected to take place late next week. 

Floral tributes and teddies have been placed outside the family's house today, one reading 'Sleep tight little angel'.

Gazette:

Up to six police cars, including a dog unit vehicle, were called to the scene yesterday, as well as three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer, and an air ambulance from the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust.

Gazette:

A 68-year-old man, who lives in Tara Close, said: “I saw it all unfold.

“I had gone down to Waitrose and as I was coming back up when I saw all the emergency services arrive.

“I saw the boy - a toddler, I think he looked about four - screaming.

“I could see him in the back of the ambulance. The poor little man was covered in blood and he was screaming his head off.

“There was blood everywhere and the mother was out the window screaming

“It happened so quickly. No one can believe it.

“There were emergency services everywhere: three police cars, at least two ambulances and two rapid response vehicles.”

Gazette:

One mum taking her daughter to school said: “It’s absolutely heart-breaking.

“I’ve got children myself and it just doesn’t bear thinking about.

“You just can’t believe it.”

The woman, who lives close to the scene, added: “I think everyone’s hearts go out to the family today.

“I just hope they will be able to cope. I’m not sure I could.”

Another neighbour said the family “very much kept themselves to themselves” and the only time he had seen the family was when an outdoor party was held over the summer.

A young father added: “I knew they had a dog, I’d seen it but I never heard it really.”

This morning, Colchester MP tweeted his sadness at the news:

The attack follows another in August when a three-year-old boy was killed in Halstead.

Gazette:

Dexter Neal was attacked at a house in Ronald Road, Halstead, on August 18 after he had gone round there to play.

He tragically died in hospital later this evening.

Dog welfare organisation, the Kennel Club, released a statement this morning about the incident in Harwich Road, which stressed any dog is capable of causing injury.

Caroline Kisko, club secretary, said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of the baby that was tragically killed and the child and adult that sustained injuries in this shocking incident.

"We don't have details of what happened in this specific case as yet so cannot comment on what may have led up to it, but we do know that incidents like this are thankfully very rare in the UK.

"When incidents like this do occur the focus is often wrongly on the breed or crossbreed of dog involved, rather than on the individual dog, and we would stress that any dog is capable of causing injury to a child, just as any dog can be a wonderfully loving pet that never shows any signs of aggression."